What is Global Education?
In a few words, global education is the ability...
As I have learned over the past year, the more educators embed global education into their pedagogy, the more we can and will help ALL of our students connect with others, embrace differences, and prepare for a changing world. As I dug into what each of these bullet points above actually mean for our students, I quickly learned that educators can easily build global education into their pedagogy and help their students gain key global competencies - the 'nuts and bolts' of global education. To learn more about global competencies, scroll down!
- to examine local, global, and intercultural issues;
- to understand and appreciate the perspectives and world views of others;
- to engage in open, appropriate, and effective interactions with people from different cultures; and
- to act for collective well-being and sustainable development.
As I have learned over the past year, the more educators embed global education into their pedagogy, the more we can and will help ALL of our students connect with others, embrace differences, and prepare for a changing world. As I dug into what each of these bullet points above actually mean for our students, I quickly learned that educators can easily build global education into their pedagogy and help their students gain key global competencies - the 'nuts and bolts' of global education. To learn more about global competencies, scroll down!
The cover slide of my Global Education slideshow!
To learn more about global education, key global competencies, view my slideshow HERE. You will also see wonderful resources, videos, examples of exchange outcomes, and unit plans that successfully embed global education. In a few words, embedding even small elements of global education will help ALL of our students connect with others, embrace difference, and prepare for a changing world.
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What does it mean to be "globally competent"?
This infographic from the OECD captures the definition of global competence. As a global educators, my goal is to help students achieve the skills and knowledge to successfully achieve these four competencies:
Globally competent students also develop curiosity, resilience, critical thinking skills, and expanded worldviews as a result of this framework. |
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) infographic on global competence
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As part of the fall semester "Global Education" course, I learned about many new tools and resources. I immediately put many of these into practice in the classroom. In fact, in the "Teach" section of this website, my unit plans reflect the successful integration of several of these tools. I also found that several of these tools were essential to a successful inter-school exchange with Loachapoka HS and the talented Laura Ramkorun and her 10th grade students.
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Digital Tools I have used:
Capcut - In the past year, my students and I used Capcut to create an introductory video when we began our exchange with a high school in Loachapoka, Alabama. Students also used Capcut to create a video to introduce our school and community to the Moroccan students and educators I visited as part of my international field experience. Many of my students also used Capcut to create their final project as part of the "Overlooked, Underreported, and in the Gaps" Project Based Learning Unit. To learn more about this unit, visit the Teach page of this website! Padlet - This has been a great addition to my teacher toolbox this past year. It has allowed me to quickly use maps to globalize my lessons and unit reflection. The map feature allows students to find key locations on the map, pin those locations, and then add text or images to offer their classmates (and me!) new insights into a place around the world. Zoom - While many used Zoom (or other video conferencing tools) to teach during Covid and attend or lead remote meetings, it is one of the simplest ways to connect with international partners. I first met my host teacher in Morocco over Zoom and found that connecting live makes an enormous difference. My students and I also "Zoomed" with Loachapoka High School students and their teacher as part of our interschool exchange experience, and meeting live took the exchange experience to a new level of connection. WhatsApp - While WhatsApp is a fairly simple messaging tool, I found that it is the go-to way for Moroccans to communicate. In fact, it has become the way to keep in touch with all of the wonderful educators, teacher training candidates, and students that I met. I'm still getting messages on a weekly basis. WhatsApp is allowing me to continue the exchange and plan for future ways to connect my students with folks in Morocco! Digital Tools I plan to explore more: Google Earth - Hoping to use Google Earth to allow students to engage in 3D exploration of places around the world. iEARN (International Education and Resource Network) - iEARN is a global network that enables teachers and youth to create, research, share opinions, and become global citizens. Already joined their email list. Can't wait to further explore their offerings! Storycorps - A non-profit that has recorded tens of thousands of stories from around the world to showcase the richness of the human experience. Very excited about this resource and to see how to get students involved. Mystery Skype - Billed as a 45-60 minute critical thinking challenge for students, this educational game allows students to connect to others around the world as part of the challenge. Very cool. I love solving mysteries, and so do my students. Go Pangea - This is an organization that helps connect students from around the world to practice English and learn more as a result. Global Read Aloud - This website explains that their goal is to choose one book to connect and unite students and adults around the world. During a six-week period starting in October, they offer ways for people around the world to connect using the selected book as a jumping off point. |
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Global Education Organizations
I learned about the following organizations during my virtual semester-long course on global education. All have provided me with an outstanding base of knowledge about global education, meaningful quotes to share as I introduce globalizing classrooms to others, and data to support and discuss the reasons our students can benefit from infusing global pedagogy into our classrooms.
I learned about the following organizations during my virtual semester-long course on global education. All have provided me with an outstanding base of knowledge about global education, meaningful quotes to share as I introduce globalizing classrooms to others, and data to support and discuss the reasons our students can benefit from infusing global pedagogy into our classrooms.
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Global Education Assessment Toolkit
These resources offer ways for educators to assess their students, themselves, and their instruction in the area of global competence. A great way to check and see how the journey to a more globalized classroom is going!
These resources offer ways for educators to assess their students, themselves, and their instruction in the area of global competence. A great way to check and see how the journey to a more globalized classroom is going!
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Additional Resources & Global Education Foundations
Two more resources that offer links to articles, professional development opportunities, event invitations, and more. Both are very much in line with all that I have learned about embedding global education into my classroom and I plan to explore and utilize these sites even more in the coming months.
Two more resources that offer links to articles, professional development opportunities, event invitations, and more. Both are very much in line with all that I have learned about embedding global education into my classroom and I plan to explore and utilize these sites even more in the coming months.
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