Globalization+and+its+Impact+on+Education

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For more than a few years now our school has been trying to prepare our students to become 'global citizens' based on awareness of the issues in J.F. Rischards book __High Noon: 20 Global Problems, 20 Years to Solve Them__. You may find the book at Amazon using the following link: [|High Noon] Though I had read the book, and find myself greatly concerned by the issues raised therein, I had no formal or working definition of //globalization,// save that of the one our society is transmitted through the media//.// However, I now understand more fully the paradigm /paradox tension in greater detail. I completely agree with the author(s) that, as teachers, would do well to take the //comparative perspective// approach (p. 301//ff)//. For "the educator's task, then, is not only to prepare students for contemporary society but also to help them envision and construct a world they deem desirable." This was Rischard's motivation in writing his book. His world, the students' world, the world in which we live will be a much better place if we deal with these issues sooner rather than later; because we will be dealing with them. Of that Rischard leaves no doubt. Global citizenship is recognizing our individual and common responsibility, today, and not putting it off until it becomes even more unmanageable. -Serge Thanks Serge. Your points are well taken, especially about the need to recognize our common responsibility in a changing world. I like how the article points out that countries need to "confront how cultural beliefs and behaviors are implicated by globalization 285)." The article highlights the fact that most of us (hopefully) can see in very clear ways how the acts of one country or group of people affect one another. That has not always been the case, or at least not to this degree. There was a time certainly, when people could sort of focus only on what was happening around them but now, as the article points out, " it is becoming more common...in more tangible ways, how the fate of their own country is intricately connected to the fate of other nations...(284)". I found this to be not necessarily new information, but very clearly articulated in the article. Those of us teaching at international schools are certainly aware of this, but I suppose we could be much more aware. In terms of how it related to education, I looked to page 294: "Such demands require families, policymakers, and educators to reexamine what the purposes of education and the role of schooling in their respective societies should be (294)". This brings it all back to your point, Serge---that of global citizenship being a responsibility. I think that is especially true for educators. -Lori

I particularly liked the section on "Globalization and the Purpose of Schooling," as we have talked a lot about the contrast between a more globalized view of the world and respecting local cultures and values. "The term //global// in public discourse is often referred to as a positive value, while more local views on education and education's relationship to society are considered parochial or limited in view and lacking in vision" (295). As we have mentioned before in class and seen in many of the other readings, a balance needs to be taken between a global education and a cultural education. I also liked the connection the article made to our discussion on "Training for Work and Survival," explaining how at least half of the jobs in the new economic environment will be much more vocational rather than academic. It's understandable why students are looking for more practical skills in university rather than the traditional ivory tower education. -Alycia

I found the globalization and education access and opportunity to be very interesting. Promise for long-term growth in economic productivity was offered by globalization for those who was in less privileged areas. Unfortunately, it has not lived up to its promise and the tendency for global benefits such as information, communication, and technology go more towards the wealthy countries. People in Africa should be a top priority to be educated as they are going through economic hardship and HIV/AIDS is spreading like wildfire, and why? Because they are not educated or aware of how to protect themselves from the disease. It is a vicious cycle as families are not able to support HIV/AIDS so they have to take their children out of the school to help as an additional income. This means another child has missed out on education and will most likely fall into the same patterns as their family members. Sad!!! =( It makes me think about how much I take for granted, we have such a gift to be exposed and have opportunities to be educated! -Kim