Some believe that technology is separating us, disconnecting us, making us less empathetic. I don’t think it’s about the technology. I believe it’s about the people behind the technology and the ways that we commit to using the technology. I believe technology can actually make us more connected, more together, more empathic. Tools can be used to build up or to tear down…to joyfully create or to tragically damage and destroy. But it depends on the user, not the tool. I am thankful that I have many teachers who are showing me these lessons.
Steve Goldberg is one of my newest teachers. He is teaching me to use Google Earth to read for global empathy. What if more of us used reading and Google Earth as springboards for interdisciplinary, global empathy? Oh what a wonderful world it could be!