As a new school year starts, I find my thoughts regularly drifting to my unknown young “relatives” growing up in the village and other children growing up in different parts of the world who have no clue as to the kind of advancements that are taking place as a result of technological innovations. As a matter of fact, they probably don’t even have access to basic education!
The other day I saw a video of an experimental “self-driving pizza delivery car”! We hear of breakthroughs in the area of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other cutting edge innovations. It’s pretty obvious that the future is TECH! Tech has changed the way everything is delivered – including education. In the last 4 months, I have taken 3 certificate courses online on the Coursera platform without leaving the comfort of my home.
Platforms like Google classroom, Pass.ng, agnitus.com BrainPOP amongst others are helping students maximize learning opportunities. But without access to digital tools & devices, the internet or steady electricity supply, how can these indigent children take advantage of the opportunities that exist?
September 8 is International Literacy Day and the theme for 2017 is “Literacy in a digital world”. The global event organized at UNESCO’s Headquarters in Paris which took place yesterday (September 8, 2017) had the overall aim of looking at what kind of literacy skills people need to navigate increasingly digitally-mediated societies, and to explore effective literacy policies and programs that can leverage the opportunities that the digital world provides.
Whether we realize it or not, we are all digital citizens which implies that we are global citizens. We need to start taking steps to ensure that all children have access to basic education. This can be achieved by leveraging on technology.
Let’s be part of the global transformation. SDG 4 is about ensuring inclusive and quality education for all and promoting lifelong learning.
I call on ISPs; tech gurus & tech companies; other people of means to make it possible for all children to have access to basic education.
I call on Governments to actually deliver on their promises.
I call on every individual to please make a choice to make a difference in at least one indigent child’s life.
Then can we truly talk about equal opportunities.
If we say technology is the future, then wherein lies their hope?
Let’s use technology for good
Let’s ensure equal opportunity for all
Let’s save the underprivileged from extinction
Let’s be #HumaneInaDigitalWorld
I am a Digizen (Digital Citizen) and these are my musings.
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Join us every Thursday at 5.00 pm on twitter @raveetal and let’s talk Digital Citizenship. Follow the #HumaneInaDigitalWorld
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