Global Education Issues in the News -
Weeks of 17-24 September 2012
Introduction:
As we pause to reflect on the horrific bombings in Libya a few weeks ago, and the passing of one of our own, U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens (AFS Summer Program, Spain, 1977), it is critical to see what role education has played in the perpetuation of perceived anti-Muslim sentiment worldwide. What role can intercultural learning play? How can AFS be at the table through innovative, global learning programs? Please see one of the articles below about Ambassador Chris Stevens that addresses this critical question of the week.
AFS Staff Spotlight Articles:
AFS ICL Blog: 21st Century Icebreakers - Tools for Online Learning
By Charlotte Steinke
http://www.afs.org/blog/icl/?p=2245
Synopsis of article (from author):"Everyone who has facilitated an online learning activity knows that the biggest challenge of online cooperation and learning is to develop feeling for the interest, preferences, and habits of those “on the other side of the computer.” It is difficult when you can neither see them nor sense any of the (verbal and) non-verbal cues that most of us rely on when building a relationship. So if you can’t rely on these cues, what can you do to make the online interaction successful and satisfying for all involved?"
Value-Add for AFS: AFS can apply these tips to improve virtual communication and collaboration.
Global Education
Debunking the Global Education Canard
Synopsis of article (from author):"Connect All Schools consortium partner World Savvy released its 2012 Global Competency Survey yesterday, and the results are both timely (there is a Libya question) and contradictory to the assumption that young people in the United States are not interested in learning about the world. Rather, young Americans are keenly aware that it is both in their best interest and in the national interest that they understand global issues, engage with their peers worldwide, and gain the skills needed to find employment in today’s global economy."
Value-Add for AFS: Since high school students understand the intrinsic value of being globally aware and competent, AFS can "take action" (the fourth component of global competency) to reach more students and teachers in civics, global studies and social studies classes.
Intercultural Understanding through "Exchange 2.0"
Why We Need A Million More Chris Stevens and How We Can Get Them
Synopsis of article (from author): "Over the last year, a coalition of organizations has formed to advance
exchange 2.0 - a next-step in international education that leverages the
power of new technologies to vastly increase the number of youth who
have a profound cross-cultural experience as part of their education.
Each of these organizations (including Soliya,
the one I work with) has developed "virtual exchange" programs which
are integrated into curriculum and have demonstrated significant impact
cultivating relationships and developing cross-cultural respect and
understanding. Based on the cost-efficiency of these programs, it is
conceivable that such programs could become a fundamental part of
education in the coming decade and literally millions of new
relationships could be fostered across the divides where they are most
needed."
International Education Spotlight: Africa
Africa's Education Crisis: In School But Not Learning
Synopsis of article (from author): "It’s unfathomable that of Africa's nearly 128 million school-aged
children, 17 million will never attend school. Perhaps even more
shocking is the fact that another 37 million African children will learn
so little while in they are in school that they will not be much better
off than those kids who never attend school. As a consequence, the
prognosis for Africa’s future economic growth and social development is
poor."
Value-add for AFS: AFS
can assist by providing more scholarships for secondary African
students, as well as further expanding its programs in Africa.
International Mobility of Students
Trends in International Mobility of Students: a Wake-Up Call for the U.S.?
http://chronicle.com/blogs/worldwise/education-at-a-glance-2012/30454
Synopsis of article (from author): "This month the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development released its annual statistical educational report, “Education at a Glance 2012: OECD Indicators.”
It analyzes educational performance in the 34 market economies
belonging to the OECD and has gradually included comparable data from
nonmember countries like Brazil and Russia. In recent years, the OECD’s analysis has included a section
presenting trends in international enrollment in higher education,
which, in a way, has become the most comprehensive data analysis of its
kind in the world. What is the OECD telling us about international student mobility around the world and, more specifically, in the United States?"
Value-add for AFS: It is critically important for AFS (and AFS-USA) in particular to keep abreast of where students are coming from and where they are going to - especially with regards to tertiary education, since it is often a marker of secondary education.
Video of the Week: NBC News Education Nation
The New Standards: The Common Core in the Classroom
http://www.educationnation.com/index.cfm?objectid=F5CA1350-068E-11E2-BC7C000C296BA163&aka=0
Synopsis of video (from site): "Forty six states have adopted the Common Core, but what will it really mean for the students, teachers and the nation's competitiveness? This session starts with a live teacher demonstration showing the Common Core in action, leading to a panel discussion of what it will take to successfully implement the new standards across the country- and what we can learn from the experience so far."
(This video is about a half hour long, and yours truly asks a question at 13.09!)
Value-add for AFS: AFS can significantly contribute to the Common Core literacy standards in the classroom (especially through non-fiction texts and real-world learning) by working with teachers to address their curricular needs through international students' lived experiences and related intercultural learning resources.
