What is Global Education?
Global education is a learning approach designed to help students understand that they are citizens of a world made up of interdependent cultures and societies. Global education emphasizes the necessity for understanding, respecting, and valuing every culture as equal citizens in a global society. It empowers students to actively pursue justice and equality both locally and abroad through action based learning projects and technology. Global education allows students to think beyond their own boarders and helps them find where they fit in as a member of their community and as a member of a global society. It gives students the knowledge base helping them to understand the world as a very big place with a great many people, ideas and cultures while at the same time helping them realize how small the world can be through trade, travel, and technology.
For the Most Compelling Case for Global Education:
Why is it important and relevant for Middlebury?
The world is changing and our community must change with it. Our students need to be prepared for an ever changing and ever shrinking world. Our students must be equipped with the skills, knowledge and mindset that will allow them to be economic and social game-changers globally. If we want our students to be the leaders of tomorrow, we need them to be equipped with the tools necessary for them to engage in a global marketplace, be able to use technology in new ways and across new boarders, be active participants in global social issues, and understand the interdependence of every nation for both economic and social progress. Many of our students will have jobs that do not exist yet. They will work or own businesses that rely on some sort of international supply and or demand. They will be the ones who have to find new solutions to old problems requiring them to work with stakeholders from around the world. Currently Indiana ranks 11th in the nation in the international export of goods (Canada, Mexico, and China are our biggest export markets). Twenty-one percent (1 out of 5) jobs (that’s 351,650) in Indiana are tied to international trade (Asia Society). Seven companies in Elkhart County have foreign ownership. Even if our students do not set out to be game changers, they can expect that as immigration around the world continues to grow, their neighborhoods will begin to look very different and they need to be able to respond to that change appropriately. Indiana has seen a 60% increase in foreign-born population and this rate is expected to grow. In Elkhart County, 8.3% of the population is foreign born and 31,700 people speak a language other than English (Asia Society). At the very least, global education will allow our students to have a mindset based on understanding and common respect for people from all corners of the globe. This is essential if we want our students to be active respectful citizens who embrace change and do not close their doors to the world.
How does global education connect with the priorities and initiatives that already exist at Northridge?
Northridge High School prides itself on its International Baccalaureate program giving our students the opportunity to see a more globalized curriculum. This program challenges our students to think in new ways and exposes them to the skills required to be participants on a global stage. Out school also prides itself on teaching our students 21st century skills. Global education emphasizes these same skills 21st century requires especially as it has to do with the use of technology. Northridge also prides itself on the number of foreign languages it offers our students. It is a strong program and students have the option to take very high and very challenging language courses. These classes are generally attended in high numbers. Northridge prides itself on its strong foreign exchange program. It continually hosts several students from around the world each semester. This program is strongly encouraged and the community responds very well to those students who wish to come here.
What tips can I provide for using this site and its resources to globalize your classroom?
Take it slow. If you are already sold, look through the list of local resources and the international project-based learning lists. These wil be the most helpful to someone who wants to get started. There may be a lot of information here and one could completely overhaul their classroom but I would recommend that you take your time. Perhaps find one thing you liked here, use it and see how you like it. Once that is incorporated and you feel comfortable, move on to the next thing you would like to try. Using this website will cause you to go down rabbit holes. This can be very overwhelming so take it slow and maybe limit yourself to one or two rabbit holes a semester. It is the mindset that you present to the students that is more important than the activities or projects you incorporate. If you need some convincing, read through the information above. Check out the TGC website linked on the Homepage and read through chapter 1 of Asia Society's Preparing Our Youth to Engage the World at this link; https://asiasociety.org/files/book-globalcompetence.pdf. Finally I would encourage anyone reading to be adventurous. Make mistakes, go out on limbs and try something new and exciting. Whether it be tearing yourself away from the text book or finally applying for an amazing grant opportunity, just go for it! Your students will feed off of this type of energy. If you stretch your comfort zone, I truly believe your students will be more likely to stretch theirs and that is what learning is all about.