Technology is changing the way the world communicates and students must learn to use new technologies like smartphones and social media to compete in the future job market. Economic problems worldwide have led to funding cuts for schools, meaning students don't always have access to the latest technologies. Politics can profoundly impact education through funding cuts during times of unrest or when students join the military. Popular culture is becoming globalized through television and social media, but some argue this threatens local traditions, while others see benefits from increased diversity and shared values worldwide. More students now study abroad to experience other cultures as universities and companies seek globally-exposed individuals.

1. By: Sheila M Dartez

2. #1 - Technology
Trend
Technology is changing the way the world communicates in the
business world and preparing students for future jobs.
• Information is more accessible and software allows companies to
easily track data and trends about competitors.
• Iphones and PDAs allow people to access information from almost
anywhere in the world.
• Social Media has allowed companies to receive instantaneous
customer feedback and improve their products/services.
• Global competition has increased because physical boundaries
do not exist in cyberspace.
“Smart technology offers the promise of remote access to health care
and education, while blurring boundaries between industries. The
power of the individual will grow and new competitors will emerge,
disrupting industries and creating new business models.” (Young, 2012)
Technological advances mean that secondary students must be
educated in how to use iphones, social media, and computer
networking in order to compete in the job market.

3. # 2 - Global Economy
Challenge
Changes in the economy always affect education in many ways.
Economic crisis in Europe and other parts of the world has
compounded financial problems in America. The latest recession has
forced governments to make spending cuts in educational funding.
These cuts mean:
• Schools do not get needed improvements or upgrades in
technology.
• Because students do not have the latest technology, they do not
get an adequate education to compete in the business world.
• Training budgets for teachers are cut.
• Teachers are laid off. Those that are not laid off have additional
responsibilities and worry about losing their jobs. (International,
2009)
• Secondary students must take the initiative themselves to learn
technology if it is not provided through the school.

4. #3 - Politics
Challenge
Politics can have a profound affect on education. When
there is political unrest, education usually has budget cuts
and financing becomes more difficult for college students
making it harder for the working class to attend college.
Global politics also affect education when young men and
woman must go to other parts of the world to protect and/or
defend themselves or other countries.
Likewise, education has a dramatic affect in politics. This is
mainly because higher order thinking skills are needed in
order to be able to evaluate and assess candidates and
political issues. (Hillygus, 2005)
Secondary students need to study political science and
critical thinking skills so they will be able to evaluate political
issues and candidates.

5. #4 - Popular Culture
Issue
The globalization of culture has been greatly influenced by
television, media, marketing, and social media. There are
both positive and negative affects about the cultural
blending of the world.
Some positive aspects include that many traditions are
blended together and the entire world is diversified. People
all over the world have the same wants and needs: a good
education, a satisfying job, family and friends, and financial
security.
Negative aspects: Many people believe that regional
values and traditions are being lost. “The specific values,
traditions, and history — the identity — of a culture could
disappear. They fear the threat of dominant, industrialized
cultures overtaking and supplanting indigenous ones,
silencing new and different ideas.” (WiseGEEK, 2003-2013)
Secondary students need to be exposed to the affects of
advertising and media.

6. #5 - Globalization of Education
Trend
Many college students today understand the importance of
experiencing other cultures. Universities around the world are
competing for college students especially in the area of
research. Countries around the world are competing for the
economic benefits and prestige of having one of the finest
universities in the world. “Some three million students
worldwide now study outside their home countries—a 57-
percent increase in just the past decade. “ (Wildavsky, 2010)
Many large corporations seek employees that have been
exposed to other cultures. Secondary students prepare for
these experiences by taking foreign languages in high school.

7. Works Cited
Hillygus, D. S. (2005). THE MISSING LINK: Exploring the Relationship
Between Higher Education and Political Engagement.
International, E. (2009). The Impact of the Global Economic Crisis on
Education.
Wildavsky, B. (2010, August 26). University Globalization Is Here to Stay.
Retrieved March17 2013, from The Chronicle of Higher Education:
http://chronicle.com/article/University-Globalization-Is/124148/
WiseGEEK. (2003-2013). What Is Cultural Globalization? Retrieved from
WiseGeek: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-cultural-globalization.htm
Young, E. &. (2012). Rapid technology innovation creates a smart, mobile
world. Retrieved from Six Global Trends Shaping the Wold:
http://www.ey.com/GL/en/Issues/Business-environment/Six-global-trends-
shaping-the-business-world---Rapid-technology-innovation-creates-a-smart-
-mobile-world