An Introduction to globalizing the classroom
“The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles, but to irrigate deserts.”
― C.S. Lewis
― C.S. Lewis
“Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self-confidence.”
― Robert Frost
― Robert Frost
As an English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teacher, my students and I are immersed in teaching and learning together in a very diverse classroom and school. It has always been important to me to be able to recognize and respect the various perspectives that English Language Learners (ELLs) bring to the classroom. In turn, it is equally as important for the students to be able to identify cultural differences and be able to understand and respect varying perspectives. My classroom can be described as a microcosm of global events, histories, economies and education systems that have influenced the lives of my students and their families. The Teachers for Global Classrooms program highlights the importance of exploring the world beyond the classroom. The emphasis is bringing the world into the classroom and school through digital learning, outside resources and authentic experiences.
With that being said, the overarching purpose of this website is to provide a paint box and brushes to be used by teachers in broad strokes across the curriculum. Whether you need to bridge cultures in the classroom, school or community or you need a lesson plan and resources that will link a subject area with a global theme, the resources provided in this website will help to build global competencies while energizing the classroom and engaging the students.
The guiding questions to begin are: What is Global Education? and What are Global Competencies? Educating for Global Competence: Preparing Our Youth to Engage the World states that educators need to increase the capacity of students to better understand the flattened world by:
1. Investigating the larger world outside their community
2. Recognize alternative perspective
3. Be able to communicate ideas
4. Take action in order to make a difference
With that being said, the overarching purpose of this website is to provide a paint box and brushes to be used by teachers in broad strokes across the curriculum. Whether you need to bridge cultures in the classroom, school or community or you need a lesson plan and resources that will link a subject area with a global theme, the resources provided in this website will help to build global competencies while energizing the classroom and engaging the students.
The guiding questions to begin are: What is Global Education? and What are Global Competencies? Educating for Global Competence: Preparing Our Youth to Engage the World states that educators need to increase the capacity of students to better understand the flattened world by:
1. Investigating the larger world outside their community
2. Recognize alternative perspective
3. Be able to communicate ideas
4. Take action in order to make a difference
For more information on the rationale for global competence the Asia Society offers a free download of their book.
In support of the Asia Society's efforts to promote a more globalized curriculum, Dr. Tony Wagner, co-director of Harvard's Change Leadership Group, has identified what he calls a "global achievement gap," which is the leap between what even our best schools are teaching, and the must-have skills of the future. This video highlights the gaps and changes that need to occur in order to not only learn 21st century skills but to be able to apply them to the world and workplace.
The importance of global education is further defined by the UNESCO Guidelines for Intercultural Education. From the introduction to Intercultural Education, UNESCO states, "in a world experiencing rapid change, and where cultural, political, economic and social upheaval challenges traditional ways of life, education has a major role to play in promoting social cohesion and peaceful coexistence. Through programs that encourage dialogue between students of different cultures, beliefs and religions, education can make an important and meaningful contribution to sustainable and tolerant societies". Similar to the Asia Society's four competencies, UNESCO frames their aims under four pillars:
1. Learning to know
2. Learning to do
3. Learning to live together
4. Learning to be
The UNESCO framework provides excellent guidelines for international and national policymakers, school districts, schools and classroom teachers to incorporate global education into day to day teaching.
I want to end the need for global education with this final YouTube video and thank you for taking the time to explore the website and begin to incorporate global education into your classroom.
1. Learning to know
2. Learning to do
3. Learning to live together
4. Learning to be
The UNESCO framework provides excellent guidelines for international and national policymakers, school districts, schools and classroom teachers to incorporate global education into day to day teaching.
I want to end the need for global education with this final YouTube video and thank you for taking the time to explore the website and begin to incorporate global education into your classroom.
Disclaimer
"This website is not an official U.S. Department of State website. The views and information presented are the grantee's own and do not represent the Teachers for Global Classrooms Programs, IREX, or the U.S. Department of State."
"This website is not an official U.S. Department of State website. The views and information presented are the grantee's own and do not represent the Teachers for Global Classrooms Programs, IREX, or the U.S. Department of State."