Global Learning and How it can Transform Education
Technology's most notable achievement was its ability to connect civilians all across the world. With its advancements across the different sectors in society, it has certainly made its mark in the field of education, by helping students actively engage in the process of learning. Not only has this growing resource enabled automation of redundant processes that would otherwise have been done by the administration, it has also allowed students to connect on a global scale, whether they're physically present in the classroom or no.
What is Global Learning?
Global Learning deals with the exploration of connections made between people and places around the world. The main objective of Global learning is to observe the similarities and differences that exist around our world and relate these to our own lives. This isn't a subject that is to be crammed into a syllabus of a student; this is a topic that dives into the heart of what education actually is.
As a teacher, you would always want to start a topic that would start a discussion amongst your students. If you were going to pick economics or health issues, you could begin your topic with a scenario of what the economy of different countries are at the moment, or what the life expectancy of children in countries neighboring India are. It could also be on the environment, where you could highlight the most polluted countries in the world. How does this help the conversation? Well, it provides a sense of "global context" to the student. They not only become aware of what they're now living in, but they also become aware of the world they would become a part of as the years pass. Moreover, they also learn to interpret international data, which is important as the world is not just becoming globalized, but digitized as well.
How does this help students?
This doesn't just profit students with regard to enhanced general knowledge or building connections. Here are a few noticed benefits of Global Learning in education:
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It allows students to critically examine their own values
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It helps them appreciate the similarities between people everywhere, and learn the value of diversity
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Understand the global context of their local lives, and the roles they play for the people in the globe.
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It helps promote critical thinking among students and helps to develop an appreciation for other points of view.
How do you use Global Learning in a classroom setting?
According to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the USA, students are encouraged to study abroad, as they would soon represent students of the global future. Often, not all students can be enrolled for exchange programs, but they certainly can gain from the opportunities to connect, communicate, and collaborate with others locally and globally in the classroom. Here are four examples you can use to try and include global learning in your classroom:
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Encourage communication. Group projects and class activities always promote better communication, not just between the student and teacher, but also among themselves. Both international and domestic students may prefer to work in where they're more comfortable, or where they feel more welcomed, but diversifying each group to include students from different cultural backgrounds during such projects can greatly improve academic performance of your class.
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Hold class debates. Separate your students into mixed groups and have them research on a topic together. Once they're well-versed with the topic at hand, set the stage for a debate during class. This doesn't just help students articulate their arguments well, it also helps them use this skill in other classes. Students who involve themselves in such activities have an easier time overcoming barriers in the classroom, and are more successful academically.
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Include international sources in references and examples. By using such examples in your context, or when you're trying to differentiate the two scenarios, try to include international examples in your explanations as well. This would allow your students to be socially aware of the current situation in different parts of the world.
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Problem-based learning is the way to go. Present problems to your students that don't just cover the Indian subcontinent. Try to include problems from other countries and have your students solve them, or discuss of the possibilities. An open discussion about current affairs helps students learn much more about a certain topic, rather than teaching them the subject matter through the pages of a book.
Opportunities for global exchanges and interactions in the classroom and beyond will continue to grow. By incorporating these strategies, one can create a learning environment that allows global learning to thrive, and helps global competence become a part of a students upbringing.
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