Global Knowledge

Teacher leaders must expand their students’ global knowledge skills, and values in your classroom.  Teachers need to be highly trained to provide students with the resources they need to increase their global knowledge.  Teachers must focus on the aspects of the curriculum and standards that promote global knowledge.  Educators must prepare students to work with

Teachers need to be trained and provided with resources to promote global skills in the classroom.  The increased need for students to understand that they are part of a global community requires unique teaching strategies.  “We must prepare those teachers.” (Levine)

“Every district, state, and school should examine its learning standards and integrate global benchmarks covering the international dimensions of subjects into curricula, assessments, and professional-development programs.”  (Levine)  Teachers must evaluate their standards and identify areas that highlight and promote.  Many standards, including the National Education Technology Standards, identify collaboration and communication as key elements of their standards.  Standard 2 focuses on communication and collaboration.  Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others.

It is important to train students to be interested and accepting of other cultures.   “By taking advantage of young people's natural interests in other nations' people, culture, music, and technology,” we can encourage their ability to communicate and collaborate with peers from diverse cultures and backgrounds. (Levine)  We must provide them with opportunities to collaborate with students from around the world.  Programs like ePals provide students with opportunities to interact with peers from around the world.  Activities like Free Rice help student understand that there is a connection between technology and global engagement.

References:

Levine, M. (2010). Teaching for a Shared Future: Think Global. Education Week, 30(7), 25.