I heard it said that technology could change realities but I could only comprise its dimension
when I became a teacher in a brazilian public school. Fraught with low-income students and
a structure that leaves a lot to be desired, I had to be creative and discover different ways to
make the students interested in geography and at the same time, try to do this making use of
the limited equipments provided, a multimedia projector, my knowledges and the Google.
Due to this, I started to be a local guide and also use it to improve my classes and show up
to my students that there is always a way to contribute with our society without being
necessary many things. Explaining the Globalization process and with this alternative way
to teach they became able to understand maps and I became able to contribute to the world
as well, helping small business to be known, giving more information, correcting addresses
in “Google Maps” and presenting to the students a huge world, stuffed with different points of
view and destinies.
Through “Google Maps” I had the chance to show up different parts of the Globe and help
the students to visualize many geographical aspects of the Earth but the most significative
action was becoming an inspiration to them, who are also contributing to the world in new
and significative ways, learning to use internet not only for playing or reading a fast
information to do a test but in their daily life, being interested in search, verifying information
or giving a feedback to someone else. No matter if they are doing this to be sure about a
historical fact or just to choose the best hamburger place to meet their friends, the point is
that they got the information and are applying it.
To conclude, I had the chance to empathize to them that as the same way they know that
chemistry is important because is in everything in the world and that they will need maths in
their entire life - and despite of getting high grades or not in both situations - , they may not
like geography but maps and systems location will always be important to their lives. I really
believe that by this way I had excited the interest and curiosity of them through technology
and helped them to find a better future, differently from their currently reality, with more
aware and informed citizens that will build a better World.
