What is Global Education?
When an educator uses an interdisciplinary, cross cultural approach to explore how a local problem connects with a global issue... that is global education.
When students read and discuss texts from various perspectives, identities, sources... that is global education.
When students utilize new digital tools, and connect their peers in other parts of the world... that is global education.
Global education is happening in classrooms often, perhaps without being named explicitly as a persons pedagogical approach. This modern philosophy and educational practice acknowledges the opportunities of the present moment, and the importance of our worlds interconnectivity.
Global education prioritizes teaching and learning that is relevant and important to the citizens of the world. When successful, global education develops world wise leaders, innovators and visionaries. A community of global thinkers, skilled at navigating the rapidly developing, and interconnected landscape of our time.
What Is Global Competence?
Global Competence is a multi-layered construct intended to support students and educators in successfully applying knowledge, skills, attitudes and values to address global issues.
The Global Competence framework encourages educators to be intentional with prioritizing high-leverage skills that enable students to take action on local and global problems.
By using the the framework as a guide, teachers can design instruction for students with the Intent to become effective communicators, understand diverse perspectives, and take action for the collective.
To assess your present levels of global competence utilize this resource.
To assess your students present levels of global competence utilize this resource
To learn more about this framework read through the OECD PISA handbook.
What is Global Learning?
Global learning can be described as the experiences students have to develop their global competence.
This looks different for every educator, varying by discipline, grade level and personal preferences.
It can be a unit, lesson, activity or daily focus.
Investigate the World
Adjusting curriculum to include a global focus
Exposing students to global issue
Using a new technological tool
Recognize Perspectives
Utilizing literature that incorporates different cultural perspectives
Looking at an issue from multiple perspectives
Comparing their experiences and perspectives with others
Communicate Ideas Effectively
International pen pals (digital or by mail)
Partnering with another classroom (in another state or country)
Take Action
Service projects that have students take actions on global a injustice
Service projects tied to a UN SDG
Where can I find Digital Resources?
When there is an emphasis on collaborative inquiry, technology, and cultural exchange, the world opens inside the classroom.
Below are some digital learning resources that can support bringing the world into classrooms.
Resources for the School team
Primary Source. (2017). Elements of a Global School
Primary Source. (2017). Steps to Globalizing your school
United Nations Sustainable Development. www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/
17 Sustainable Development Goals Data sdg.data.gov/
SDG Resources for Educators (UNESCO) en.unesco.org/themes/education/sdgs/material/17
Resources for the Classroom team
Oxfam Education. www.oxfam.org.uk/education/who-we-are/global-citizenship-guides/
Digital Citizen Institute. https://digcitinstitute.com/
National Geographic. Teaching Across Perspectives
Teaching digital citizenship www.teachinctrl.org/