My understanding of global competency is evolving and changing by the minute as I read and process the resources we are using in the TGC program. The EdUtopia article, “A Look Inside the Global Classroom,” was especially interesting as it outlined the skills that globally competent students must have to succeed in the 21st-century and beyond emphasize the use of case studies and project-based learning to explore different aspects of our world. I was impressed yet again that an appreciation of cultural differences and an ability to understand and consider multiple perspectives were listed at the top
of their most important skills. I believe that these two skills must precede and be embraced before a depth of understanding of our World and its complexities can be achieved. When I think of a child developing his or her global competency from early childhood through12th grade, I recognize that helping young children develop the cultural appreciation and multiple perspective understanding is a key building block for a well-rounded older student. https://www.edutopia.org/blog/look-inside-classroom-of-future-dana-mortenson In the article, Call to Global Citizenship Education, guest blogger William Gaudelli, impressed me with his complex understanding of global competency through the lens and our misunderstandings of time. I will actually have to re-read that section of the article many times and contemplate the fullness of its meaning as its complexities were a bit over my head. His use of Martin Luther King's quote, "All life is interrelated. We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied into a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly...before you finish eating breakfast in the morning, you've depended on more than half of the world,” reminds me that the need for global competency is nothing new. Instead, in our country especially, our education system has chosen to put its resources and focus in other directions, such as an unhealthy attachment to testing and more testing, depriving our students of the much needed and essential skills that will take them into and help them succeed in the 22nd century. I love Kings quote so much, I may have to use it at the end of all of my emails.(I collect quotes and use them often to remind me that wisdom is offered to us from those who have gone before us. All we need to do is be open to it when crosses our path.) https://www.edutopia.org/blog/look-inside-classroom-of-future-dana-mortenson The Dan Rather interview was very interesting. I am aware of how other countries, such as, Finland and Thailand, have transformed their educational systems and are doing such a wonderful job preparing their students. I recognize their dedication to global competency education, but one cannot ignore that a huge reason for their excellence is that they only accept the most highly qualified teachers. They have made great strides in changing and improving the perception of the teaching profession. Teachers are now honored for their contributions to forming the whole child and preparing students, not only academically, but in life skills and the pursuit of personal fulfillment and happiness. These school systems help students recognize their own talents and gifts and discern which career path best suits their abilities and personality. Every child is not suited for college or white collar professions. These countries embrace the artistic trades and have raised what we often referred to as blue-collar jobs to the realm of craftsmanship expertise. I am not sure how they have managed this transformation in understanding, but I applaud their efforts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtYszdSU1Yg The Department of Education's International Affairs Office article seemed a bit simplistic to me, but I recognize that it is only a small part of a website. I will take more time to explore the whole site. However, their Framework for Developing Global and Cultural Competency illustrated in the article seem to be a good starting point. Its emphasis, once again, on cultural understanding and developing skills to recognize multiple perspectives meshes well with the other viewpoints.https://sites.ed.gov/international/global-and-cultural-competency/ I am left with many questions, including: Would our educational system benefit more from one overall plan of action, or the development of a curricula that everyone can easily use in their schools and classrooms? Or is it better to allow state or local school systems to develop their own global competency curricula, taking into consideration their demographics, geographical location and diversity, etc.? I do not work in public education, but I can see how developing one plan of action for all schools might turn into a huge mess. Much to ponder. Also, how can we as Americans who have long been focused on every child going to college change our perception of the artistic and craftmanship trades? Global education is a very broad term. Other terms that might come to mind our global citizenship, or global competency, even globalization. The definitions of these terms can be complex and in some cases confusing. But over the next year I will be studying all of the aspects of global education so that I can better teach my students and share with my school Community the advantages of preparing our students to be globally competent global citizens. One of my first assignment as a TGC Fellow question defined some of the most important terms used when we think of global education.
The term global citizenship implies that a person recognizes and possesses a responsibility as a citizen of the world, not just a citizen of their local, region or country. A global citizen embraces the uniquenesses of our world and claims citizenship with all the countries, cultures, economies and political situations there in. A global citizen takes action to make the world a better place, no matter where that place might be on our planet or what ideas, ideologies, cultures, religions or positions the people may hold. Global citizens are not restricted by boundaries or oceans. They are truly citizens of the world. In contrast, global competence implies that a person not only has great knowledge of the world around them, but also possesses empathy, cultural understanding, the ability to explore many perspectives, and skills to live and work in a global society. Being globally competent suggests that the person is curious, inquisitive and non-judgmental about other cultures and their people, traditions, and aspects or challenges in this culturally diverse world. I have tried to inspire an attitude of global competence and global citizenship with my students as I teach lessons in social justice and Catholic theology. But by the time I get students in the seventh grade, I would hope that they had already been introduced to these very important concepts. I have learned over the years, however, that is not the case. For the most part in our lower school grades students are given only a vague and simplistic view of the world. World geography is not taught until eighth grade and often incoming seventh graders have a little understanding of where we are situated on the planet, much less any understanding of other countries and cultures. I dive in with my social justice themes of the church and work tirelessly to teach as much as I possibly can about the world as a whole, focusing my lessons on human rights and social justice. As students moved into the higher grades they are taught world geography, as I've mentioned, in eighth grade and, as a part of their world history curriculum in the upper school, they are introduced to other regions of the world through historical events and wars. Of course, we have world languages, such as French Spanish and Latin, but no other country or region-specific focuses. A person with a cosmopolitan attitude believes and embraces the whole world as his or her home. Cosmopolitanism is derived from a world view and asserts the citizenship, cooperation and responsibility of every person in every country and culture. Globalism, on the other hand, is an understanding of the connectedness and interconnectedness of all countries through their economics, business practices, politics, cultures and in other ways. Most commonly thought of through the lens of economy and business, globalism or globalization is demonstrated most succinctly by companies using workers and factories and other components from various countries and cultures to create products, then to package, distribute, ship and sell those products globally. Globalization and cosmopolitanism are most likely foreign terms two students attending my school. In upper school economics classes they might touch on globalism but an in-depth study of the concept of these two would be an anomaly. My school is very service driven. Students are encouraged from the minute they land in our early childhood center to look outside of themselves and serve others, helping the less fortunate an opening themselves up to the needs and challenges of others. It Is a personal calling that we should all take seriously and to heart. Service, I believe is a first step in the education of children and adults to help them recognize the world around them and develop empathy. When I consider the two competencies that I believe are the most important, I must focus first on the ability to see more than one perspective. If an individual can step outside of himself with empathy and understanding and see from the perspective of someone else, true positive change can take place. Secondly the ability to communicate effectively no matter where you are it is essential. Communication is the bridge that helps humans come together on one playing field and be able to work together with understanding and knowledge. I think it is obvious that I have not been a successful blogger. I didn't really ever get started on this blog years ago when I created my website, however, I'll try better next time. I was recently honored by the US State Department with a fellowship called Teachers for Global Classrooms. I cannot express how excited and overwhelmed I am by this opportunity. I have decided to document my year of adventure with the Teachers for Global Classrooms (TGC) project. And I am going to try to make this blog my go-to place for sharing this wonderful experience. Here I will post my assignments, discussion posts, and other narratives, photos and the videos.
One important point that I'd like to make from the beginning is that I have a broken wrist, my right wrist of course, and I am unable to type right now. Technology is helping me out. I am trying out the voice dictation software on my computer and hope that I will be able to use it to share all all of this experience with you. (although I have already had some very wonky posts.) Stay tuned for more posts soon. Thanks for checking in. I encourage all to read my new book, The Ingredients of Gumbo, and my novel, Flowers for Elvis. Look for many new blog posts and updates to come. Thanks to all.
-Julia |
Julia SchustEr:
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