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Introduction
This semester was a beautiful opportunity for me to reflect on my own skills and opinions regarding distributed online learning and the role of technologies that supported my learning. Throughout this term, my Free Inquiry project explored the complex relationship between globalization and local culture and if this increased connectivity erosion or enriched local traditions. As I dove deeper in scholarly articles, open-access databases, and multimedia resources there was a more nuanced truth which is that globalization is not inherently neither destructive nor enriching, but rather the context and how these digital tools are used by the educators, learners, and communities.
Key Learnings
Globalization allowed for local cultures to be exposed to external influences. In some cases, this created a cultural erosion such as the Western cultures displaces Indigenous practices where dominant languages overshadow local dialects. However, I found something hopeful and evidence that connectivity can also be a tool for cultural preservation and innovation. Local artists, educators, and communities can use digital platforms to document history, share traditional art forms, and build interconnected cultural networks amongst themselves. From virtual museum tours to online campaigns/promotions, people are using technology to leverage and preserve their cultural identities alive in dynamic ways.
Reflection on the Learning Process
The process of learning through free inquiry was both liberating and overwhelming. I was not limited to a strict rubric and instead I had the freedom to explore any subject that I found meaningful. At the same time, the openness structure made me struggle with certain digital platforms in which I was unfamiliar with the layout and figuring out the search engines on these platforms. It was difficult to work with multiple layers of filtering to find relevant and good quality sources when I was working with anthropological content and databases. I found that the terms were discipline-specific and navigating academic databases like EBSCOhost took trial and error. What helped me push through this struggle was a combination of curiosity, technological tools, and determination to find quality and relevant content within these databases to support my research. This approach encouraged for a deeper and richer engagement whereas unlike traditional assignments where I might skim the articles and academic journals. I found myself immersed in asking critical questions and looking at different perspectives regarding globalization and local culture. Overall, the freedom of choosing my own subject and using any platform I could gave me ownership and empowerment of the learning process.
The Role of Technology in My Learning
Technology supported my learning inquiry at every step where I accessed articles through open-access journals, looked through websites for any articles that might relate to my subject, and even explored virtual museum exhibits. I believe that technological tools such as Google Scholar and reading these articles played a major role in helping me refine keywords, summarize academic articles, and connect any ideas relating to the topic. These platforms helped me bridge learning gaps when the content was overly technical and/or dense.
I think that technology also enabled a more inclusive learning experience while I was doing research. I was able to access international perspectives and local voices that would’ve been hard to find if it were a traditional classroom setting and physical books. For example, reading more upon Indigenous communities about cultural revitalization gave me insights that scholarly articles alone could not discuss. Altogether, my learning was networked and influenced my literacy, comprehensive, and critical thinking skills when learning about the subject and critically engaging with online resources.
Conclusion
This Free Inquiry project helped the way I view globalization and its relationship with local and international culture. Although the increased connectivity can erode and threaten local traditions, it opens up new possibilities for collaboration and resiliency against the loss of cultural identity. As a learner, I now see the importance of digital literacy as it supports the curiosity of discovering cultural understanding and equity in an interconnected and interdependent world.
Presentation
Below is the Google Slides presentation, transcript, and timestamps regarding my overall experience with this project. I hope you enjoy the presentation! It was a pleasure having this opportunity to discuss these conversations with you.
Slide 1 – Introduction (0:00:00 – 0:00:20)
“Hi everyone, this presentation reflects on my Free Inquiry project, where I explored the impact of globalization on local culture. In this presentation, I’ll walk you through what I learned about the topic, how the learning process challenged and shaped me, and the important role that technology played in both the research and reflection process.”
Slide 2 – What I learned (0:00:22 – 0:01:10)
“Through my research, I learned that globalization isn’t entirely negative or positive. It’s complex. Yes, there are cases where Western influence has led to the erosion of local practices. For example, dominant languages often overshadow native dialects, and modern media can replace traditional storytelling. But I also came across many hopeful examples. Indigenous artists and community leaders are using platforms like YouTube, virtual museum tours, and social media to keep their traditions alive and visible. Globalization, through the right lens, can be a tool for cultural resilience, education, and innovation. It’s not just about loss, but it’s also about adaptation and global awareness.”
Slide 3 – Reflecting on Learning Process (0:01:12 – 0:01:58)
“Working through a free inquiry model was a new experience for me. Without a rigid rubric or fixed topic, I had full ownership over what I wanted to learn and how I went about it. That freedom was exciting but also overwhelming. I struggled with certain databases, especially ones focused on anthropology or cultural studies, because their layout and terminology weren’t familiar to me. It often took trial and error to find high-quality and relevant sources, but I kept going because I was genuinely curious about the topic. And that curiosity helped me stay motivated, even when I was frustrated. In the end, this self-directed learning gave me a deeper connection to my work and helped me develop stronger research habits.”
Slide 4 – Role of Technology in My Learning (0:02:00 – 0:02:53)
“Technology was absolutely essential to how I approached and directed this project. I used tools like Google Scholar and open-access journals to find articles, and when the academic language felt dense or technical, I leaned on tools to help me summarize or make sense of the content. I also explored virtual exhibits and websites that showcased local traditions that were both interactive and accessible. What really stood out to me was how these tools made learning more inclusive and how I was able to access perspectives from around the world, including Indigenous voices that are often left out of mainstream academic texts. So, technology wasn’t just a convenience, but rather it was a bridge that connected me to deeper, more human stories and made my learning more critical and thoughtful.”
Slide 5 – Final Key Takeaways (0:02:54)
“This project shifted my perspective in a lot of ways. I started out thinking globalization was mostly a negative force, but I came to see that its impact depends on the context and how people choose to engage with it. Increased connectivity can certainly threaten local cultures, but it can also give them new life, especially when communities are in control of how their stories are told and shared. This made me realize how important digital literacy is, not just in school, but in life. Being able to navigate, analyze, and contribute to the digital world gives us power, and it can support equity, cultural understanding, and learning beyond the classroom. The Free Inquiry Project gave me the chance to experience that firsthand, and I’ll carry that with me into future projects and real-world experiences.”
END
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