“It is necessary and urgent that teachers prepare students to understand the world in which global and local affairs are intertwined, to understand globalization and its consequences, including global risks and to have the skills and the desire to contribute to the improving world.” (Reimers, 2016)
Why is Global Education Important?
The 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic completely shifted how we educate our students so that we can keep our students, families and school staff safe during this crisis. Our students are paying attention to current events and they are witnesses to our global response to the pandemic as well as the call for the end to systemic racism. As an adult, I find myself constantly checking the news for updates. I have learned through listening to my students, that their parents are doing the same thing. Ironically, my students were more aware of world events during quarantine than they had been when they were attending classes in person. Global Education is empowering and we want our students to feel empowered! They are our future problem solvers! Our students are already full of questions and concerns. Prior to, but especially during remote learning, I left a lot of time in our learning day just to listen to my students in a safe space. They asked me questions like, "Why doesn't everyone wear masks?" or "I know protests are important but isn't it dangerous to be in groups right now?" or "How did that policeman who hurt George Floyd get his job?" Children are curious and investigation is a natural next step learners have when they are faced with a problem. Children also recognize that local problems and solutions can have global impact. By teaching our children that understanding and empathy stem from deep learning, we are preparing them for a globalized present and future.
Why is Global Education Important?
The abrupt switch to remote learning was difficult due to multiple factors that are directly connected to communication, relationships, equity and safety. Prior to the pandemic, I regularly used video calls to communicate with travelers and experts around the world. When we made the transition to remote learning, I noticed that my classroom had less difficulty transitioning to live lessons on Google Meet than most of my colleagues because my students had already internalized the norms of video conferencing. We still struggled with equity issues around internet and technology access but we did not lose time normalizing our new method of learning. Because we regularly communicated through various media, our flexibility made the change less traumatizing than it could have been. Global Citizens are flexible, problem solvers who don't see obstacles as a reason to quit or to stop discussion. Global Citizens see these obstacles as reasons to grow, to ask questions and keep conversations going.