Is A Global Education A Better Education?
Posted on Apr 4, 2012 | 10 comments
So let me ask you something.
Why is it important for kids to travel? Why does it matter? Does it matter?
Why is knowing about the world and becoming a global citizen a big deal? Is it a big deal?
Obviously, we have decided as a family that teaching our kids to become global citizens is as important as math, science, and physical education. Global citizenship is a school subject for us. It permeates our education. It is part of our lives on every level.
I believe in helping my children become global citizens via education, but why? Why is it important? What makes global learning good for kids?
I've got a little project for you worldly folk. I could use your help and ideas. I want to get a discussion rolling. Your contributions and comments are greatly appreciated.
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Today I had the privilege to meet with a group of people who are on a mission to help educate children as global citizens. They want to bring the world to the classroom. They want to train teachers to educate children in ways that will help them become long-term global learners. They have all the knowledge, resources, and experience they need to make this happen, but what they're missing is proof that global learning is actually as beneficial as math, science and the rest.
How do we convince others that global learning is an essential aspect of education?
How do we know global learning helps to create positive members of society?
Let's say this is the scenario:
You are going to meet before a local school board. As always, there is a budget. This budget includes salaries, facilities, and programs. These programs may include things like math, art, physical education, but now you want to add something else. You want to train the school's educators to become global educators. You want to start incorporating global education into the curriculum of your child's school. You believe it will improve the overall educational experience of students on many levels, but you have to convince others to add global education and training to the school's budget. You have a qualified organization that can do this job well, but you need to convince the powers that be it will work.
Convince me to bring a group of people into the school to train teachers and supply resources to help make our kids empowered global citizens. Tell me what you know. Tell me how to prove global learning is beneficial to all children. Tell me how global learning impacts our education. And if you disagree, tell me that as well. Let me know what you think.
It's brainstorming 101 time here. I know many of you have passionate beliefs on the subject of global learning and I would love to hear your thoughts.
Much thanks! I look forward to the discussion.
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I have no argument to convince you. But I do know that the things my kids remember and discuss from school never have anything to do with the usual curriculum. They remember the time in grade 2 when their teacher let them run a restaurant for parents. They planned the menu, budgeted and bought the supplies, set tables on the day, took orders, prepared food and delivered it to our tables. They remember the time that same teacher entered the grade 2's into a national performance competition and they had to perform in front of 2000 spectators and Brittney gave a 5 minute speed without using any palm cards. And they remember all about pumpkins - because they grew them in a veggie patch at school, watered them, picked them, cut them up and cooked them. They have never once fondly recalled 40 minute MATHS lessons, time spent learning history dates by rote or any of the other useless stuff that school kids do!
Tracey - Life Changing Year recently posted..Cycling in SE Asia is not for old, western ladies!!
Thanks Tracey. I suppose we all remember the active stuff. Interesting!
It would be cool to see what happens when we introduce alternative methods to a classroom. Do kids become more engaged? I'm curious.
Hi Justin
When I was 16 I traveled to the Philipines to join a Children's Interational Summer Village. It was like a summer camp with kids from 10 different countries, with the aim of fostering global relationships and understanding. It certainly opened my eyes. These villages happen all over the world, and were first created in 1946 as a response to WW2 devestation, by focusing on children, inter-cultural relationships and learning. The following article about these camps is as good a research based proof as you'll find!
http://resources.cisv.org/docs/main?action=document.view&id=154
Jill - Going Anyway recently posted..Our Akha hilltribe homestay
Thank you so much. Excellent resource!
I definitely agree that a global education is extremely valuable in today's world. I also believe that global citizenship and global learning experiences should be part of a child's education from the very beginning. That's why I created this resource site (http://www.globalearlyed.wordpress.com) for teachers where I cite academic sources in support of globalizing education, technology tools and global project examples to show what these learning experiences can look like, and getting started tips so more teachers can start engaging in this work. I would love to connect with you and hear about the responses you receive to "How do we convince others that global learning is an essential aspect of education?" because it is a question I am asking as well.
Margaret A Powers recently posted..Reflecting on Technology as a Global Learning Tool
Well, you know this is a subject near and dear to my heart. I can't imagine NOT learning globally - since the world is global, and our neighbors are no longer just next door, but around the world. We even wrote a book about it - Bringing the World Home: A Resource Guide to Raising Intercultural Kids. If kids today don't learn how to live in and interact with the world, then they will be left far, far behind. It starts with a curiosity about the world, and expands from there into genuine interest and a life-long eagerness to learn. If you raise your kids to be ethnocentric, you do them (and the world) a great disservice. And ethnocentrism can arise from ignorance just as easily as from intent. Great topic!
wandering educators recently posted..Southern Sweden: Varberg, Ystad, and Simrishamn
Thanks Jessie! I'll have to check out the book. And great thoughts!
People out there are sure trying, but it is just not that easy. The world is run on data. If we could manage to collect data on house raising intercultural kids benefits, then we would really have something to work with!
There is unparalleled curiousity in children who broaden their scope and learn about all cultures. In my first grade class we begin our days with a 'good morning' in another language (even if one isn't an afficionado of languages, today anyone can find/share/learn/teach rudimentary phrases), we find where that language is spoken on our world map, name the country and the continent, and question/repeat/quiz each other on that language/country for two weeks. Review happens after 5 weeks, including jumbled info, and the cycle repeats with new input.
Students excitedly share and inspire parents to travel if affordable for the family; if not, the Atlas provides a close second as a send-off to exploration. Awareness of others, comparison,tolerance and acceptance of individuality, and sharing commonality, surely is a path of benefit for us all...
These are wonderful ideas Diane. I am going to try some at home and then bring them to the school. Thanks so much! I can't wait to try these!
I'm glad you're going to try ideas--please let me know how it goes and if you've any to add.....where do you live? We're in Fort Worth, Texas....