2. Challenge
Define Global Competency
In order to connect our students in a global way we must take the
time to define what global competency should be. This video
stresses that the number one priority in global competency is
content knowledge. By this we mean that students do not just learn
a history lesson, they try to think like a historian and to do so form a
more zoomed out global perspective. Students need to ask bigger
picture questions such as using their knowledge of science for
instance to consider ways to have sustainable farming or use math
schools to examine cultural demographics.
How does this affect students?
I think this bigger picture way of thinking would help students
see that the skills they are studying in school are relevant to real life.
It also seems it would help them discover that having a deep
understanding of content can help them have a positive effect on
both a local and global level.
Global Competence and its Significance to the American Education System. Retrieved from:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhPA_AQWLjo&feature=related
3. Challenge
Giving Teachers training in ways to
teach from a global perspective.
Primary Source is an organization that helps promotes global
understanding in education. They have resources for teachers to
use and most important training sessions for teachers to attend in
person to gain skills in global education. Their programs and
others like them need to be more readily available across the
country to help form better teachers.
How will this affect students?
I think having more confident teachers will allow students
to see their teachers as one of the best resources they have to
tap into to learn. Teachers can serve as a better guide to
student which will allow students to make the knowledge of a
global economy their own.
Teaching for Global Understanding. Retrieved from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eT-
K4rx7Aw&feature=relmfu
4. Issue
Using curriculum that is shaped with
a global perspective.
Many teachers are open and eager to expand the minds of their
students to think more globally but are at a bit of a loss as to how to
do that. The curriculum described in this video is a tremendous
resource for teachers to tap into so they can form global citizens. I
think this is important because it is more than a text book. It is work
that comes from real individual peace core members’ experiences.
This makes education more personal. It also shows students real
issues and stories not hypothetical ones.
How does this affect students?
Students spend time with more of a living real world
curriculum. It allows them to explore cultures from a perspective of
someone who has been in the cultures they are studying. A global
curriculum allows them to see problems and work on solutions.
Bringing Global Education into the Classroom - Peace Corps Coverdell World Wise Schools. Retrieved from:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwIdClyaq7I&feature=related
5. Trend
U.S. students lag behind other countries,
particularly in Math & Science.
Todays’ citizen is competing in a global economy but an increasing
trend arises that citizens from other countries are far better
educated than Americans. Right now America ranks 17th in Science
and 25th in Math. One cause of this situation could be that in the
U.S. advanced math and science courses are optional in the U.S.
but required in other countries. This puts American students at a
great disadvantage in being leaders in a global economy.
How does this affect students?
I think this sort of disadvantage can leave students feeling
defeated before they even try. If other countries are so much
ahead of us in these skills it is going to show in the work force and
leave American students less able to climb corporate ladders and
advance in other ways because foreign students have much more
ability based on their education.
Education in America: Don't Fail Me Part 1. Retrieved from:
2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7ob1AfM1Dg
6. Challenge
Teach students to communicate in
multiple languages for their ability to
engage a global society.
Globalization involves a variety of different languages and students
who have a fighting chance to compete in this environment need
language skills. If we begin teaching students languages at a young
age they will come much more naturally and without as much effort.
This shows other cultures that learning their language was worth our
students time and that shows respect for their culture.
How will this affect students?
Knowing multiple languages gives them the ability to
communicate with those in other societies without needing the aid
of a translator or more basic means of communication. It lets them
be more active players rather than ones who need an intermediary.
Jackson, Anthony. Global Competence: Prepare Youth to Engage with the World. Retrieved from:
http://asiasociety.org/education/partnership-global-learning/making-case/global-competence-prepare-youth-
engage-world
7. Levels of Importance
1) Challenge – Define Global Competency
This seems most important so that educators and students have a common and well
thought out goal. Having a clear understanding of what the goal is will increase the
odds of it being successfully attained.
2) Challenge – Giving Teachers training in ways to teach from a global perspective.
Good teachers are at the heart of quality education. This is why after the goal of global
competency this is the next most important task. The tone of the classroom and level of
success that is shown is based primarily on quality of the teachers training so this is a key
step in the process.
3) Issue – Using curriculum that is shaped with a global perspective.
After teachers have been trained well it is ideal to give them high quality resources to
use to implement their goals. The selection of curriculum can make or break the
environment. It seems that even if there is a good teacher if curriculum isn’t strong they
will not have as much success. Solid curriculum also allows the heart of the learning to
be focused on the material and not the teacher. It allows students to make the
material their other rather than something received from their teacher.
4) Trend – U.S. students lag behind other countries, particularly in Math and Science.
This trend and the following challenge both are things that are secondary items that
flow out of the previous topics mentioned. Having strengthened abilities gives
Americans the ability to play on high level stages they can’t reach otherwise.
5) Challenge – Teach students to communicate in multiple languages for their ability to
engage a global society.
This is an important task but it isn’t as essential as the others. It does seem that America
is one of the few places that has students who only speak one language. Most
countries have students speaking at least one other language other than their native
tongue which leaves U.S. students less marketable in a global economy.
