A good global education curriculum consists of more than simply facts and
figures about nations and their relations with one another; it also
encourages understanding of cultural differences and similarities,
tolerance, and a globally interdependent view of the world. The goals of
global education may be realized as never before through the use of
telecommunications technologies such as the World Wide Web, electronic mail,
and teleconferencing. These tools allow teachers to take global
education beyond the textbook by connecting their classes with other
students and even politicians, scientists, authors, CEOs, and other leaders
from around the world. Opportunities for students and teachers to talk and
work with people in other nations via these new communication media are
opportunities to dispel stereotypes and forge camaraderie, both elemental
steps toward building the mutual respect required for international
relations in the global age.
The Global Education Program raises awareness about the global issues that
affect our lives: environmental, human rights and security issues,
South-North relations and sustainable human development. The Program
encourages understanding of our global interdependence and promotes learning
in a cross-cultural environment.
Global Education internet resources:
http://www.indiana.edu/~ssdc/globdig.htm
Global Education bibliography: http://www.fiu.edu/~globalap/gebib.html
http://chiron.valdosta.edu/whuitt/files/globaled2.html
The Council for Global Education http://www.globaleducation.org/
The Centre d'Éducation interculturelle et de compréhension internationale
(CÉICI), (a centre for intercultural education and international
understanding based in Quebec) was founded in 1989
http://www.cam.org/~ceici/en/gep.htm#III
4. Education Reform
The education system basically was developed for the industrial revolution.
Efforts are under way to reform it to the current information revolution
(and a future spiritual revolution? - see 5 below).
Reference The State of Education In Canada by Thomas T. Schweitzer
(Montreal: Institute for Research on Public Policy, 1995).
http://schoolchoices.org/roo/canada.htm "How good are Canadian schools?
What measurements should we use to evaluate the state of Canadian education?
In this closely argued and carefully substantiated essay, noted specialist
Tom Schweitzer, former Senior Economist at the Economic Council of Canada,
has pulled together the relevant data to reflect where we stand, not only in
comparison to other countries but province to province. Schweitzer looks at
the crucial elements in any educational system, ranging from the family
environment to the quality of teaching to the effectiveness of school
bureaucracy. He stresses the importance of education in creating a
well-trained and efficient workforce and suggests that a high level of
numeracy and literacy generates significant income premiums for Canadian
workers." --From the book jacket. Two responses to Schweitzer's conclusions
are also included, by Robert Crocker, Associate Deputy Minister of Education
Newfoundland, and Geraldine Gilliss, a Director at the Canadian Teachers'
Federation.
From The Futurist Magazine, March/April 2000 Technology Remakes the Schools
by Howard Gardner and 16 Predictions for Higher Education by Samuel L. Dunn:
"The virtual university is next - not a single institution, but a web of
educational providers that collectively distribute services to the client at
the time, place, pace, and style desired by the client, with quality
determined by the client and a variety of approving and accrediting bodies.
The virtual university has been born and is growing rapidly; it will be the
predominant mode of higher education by the year 2025.
Look for the following changes to come:
- more emphasis on teaching "life skills" needed by students (eg.
relationship training - never before have men, women and countries been so
close together or relationships so studied; previously undervalued by
system)
- more awareness and involvement of parents (better educated parents are
going to want more (better education) for their children
- students and teachers will have more flexibility and control (empowerment)
- more professional input of non-educators
- educational entrepreneurs (including more choice in school selection; will
be market driven)
- customized education (using amazing software applications)
- the home-school movement will lead to a home-college/university movement
- more adult learners (life-long learners are going to search out better
education for themselves)
- education consortia will be formed
- skills for stewardship of the planet will become a priority (previously
undervalued)
Other references:
http://www.schoolchoices.org/ ; http://www.edreform.com/reform.htm
5. Coming Spiritual Age
The "Wild Card" among breakthroughs for the next century, something that
will have an unexpectedly dramatic impact on the future by William E. Halal
(George Washington University Forecast of Emerging Technologies
www.gwforecast.gwu.edu ):
"I suspect the wild card is going to be the realization that you can only do
so much with information, that we are approaching a domain beyond knowledge.
Information technology is going to mature in the next 10 to 20 years. The
systems will be up, the earth will be wired, and we will be able to do
everything we want with information. We will then enter an era of spirit.
You can see it starting today as people embrace values, beliefs and
visions - all of those things that are essential to navigate through the
mass of information, to find meaning and purpose. The emergence of this era
of spirit is going to become startlingly clear soon. There will be a change
in basic assumptions. For example, the concept of the corporation will be
scrutinized. How are you going to justify corporate profit-taking in a
world of values, meaning, and purpose? The flaunting of wealth and
materialism may be reversed as people reconsider the gap between the rich
and the poor. In about 10 years, certainly no more than 20 years, we will
talk about a spiritual age the way we now talk about the information age."
(courtesy of Future Times, Summer 2000, published by the World Future
Society)
6. Canadian Peace Institute Initiative
Within a year the peace leaders of this country could have a virtual
Canadian Peace Institute established (at least initiated). Within 3 years
we can have a bona fide, successful, Masters degree granting Institution
that is the talk of the country. Within 5 to 10 years we can have that
pre-eminent Canadian Peace Institute, respected throughout the world, of
which each of your institutions can share in the success and
accomplishments - and we will all profit from this, in ways much more
important than dollars and cents.
See http://www.peace.ca/educationpartnerships.htm for several visions and
background information.
A working group has been formed to research the idea of a Canadian Peace Institute and
initiate an Action Plan.
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