The world is just a bunch of bubbles

Statistics are a funny thing. We look on wikipedia or read articles that cite numbers and percentages that represent an entire group or region. Sometimes the numbers are shocking and draw drastic conclusions but when looked at in a more defined context they take on a completely different meaning. Tools, such as excel, help researchers recognize patterns in the data set over a longer period of time and they tend to be much more positive.

My favorite example is (duh!) development. It always gets such a bad rap. So many programs fail and these countries seem like black holes for money. I think we forget though that growth takes time. The redwoods didn't grow over night. Hans Rosling, a Swedish professor of public health, created one of the coolest programs for statistics. Watch his TED talk yourself because his energy is contagious. Besides the awesome animation and data presentation the coolest part about his talkis that change has been happening and it looks positive! Watching the progressive move of countries over the decades across a trajectory previously or simultaneously traversed by other countries considered more developed is epic. It reveals that really are changing and getting better. Although the change may not be as quick as we hope it is in fact moving. A super nifty feature of this program is that that stats can be broken down from region to country to cities or even smaller demographics. Since data varies from context to context this allows for evaluation of disparities within each sector as well as identifying where the problem might actually be.

From an educator's standpoint: I think this is a really neat tool because it really visualizes everything. Instead of having to imagine the patterns and the movement when looking at an excel spreadsheet you can really see it happening. This helps students really understand that stats should not always be taken as face value because they are not a true representation. It is also a generative learning tool it that it encourages students to continue asking questions regarding changes in stats.

Anyway here is a link to one of his Rosling's talks. There are a few so if you are as intrigued as I am I encourage you to keep watching. Also go play around with the website yourself. gapminder.com

Hans Rosling's GapMinder <<<< Watch here!

Hole in the Wall Development

 Development is a unique discipline in that it does not have a right answer. It is solely based in theory and evaluations of other people’s attempts at making a difference. As a student it can be frustrating because I find myself settling to a certain perspective, belief or ideas for development only to read about a different theory that seems better. After reading so many evaluations of “failed” programs and criticisms of theories I find myself feeling quite dejected. Can development really happen anymore? I spend a lot of time thinking about the appropriate and least aggressive way of introducing technology into education to aid development of a schooling system. I have started to truly believe that it is impossible or pompous of me to think that I can drop technology into a “less developed” community school where resources are limited and electricity is scarce and expect it to stick. Then I discovered this TED talk. Sugata Mitra’s study has been very eye opening and renewed my faith in technology. One thing I have learned during the past few months is that there needs to be an end to “we” and “them” thinking. “We” are not saviors or deliverers of knowledge. “They” have knowledge that has helped them survive their context for hundreds of years. Anyone who is an educator or parent or has spent a significant amount of time with children know that they surprise us everyday. They are more capable and more intelligent than many of us give them credit for. Mitra’s study reminds us to shake our preconceptions about ability. This has renewed my faith in educational technology as a tool for development in rural communities. Watch it and let me know what you think!

Sugata Mitra's TED Talk <<< CLICK HERE!!