Influential people in the field of education
Introduction
The two well-known philosophers and educators from the East, Confucius, and the West, Socrates, both influenced my perception on education. I believe that education is a life long process and often time education should not be confined within formal schooling period. Education can take place at anywhere and anytime as long as one is eager to learn. Today, with the advancement of technology, the field of education experiencing another transformation to response to the demand of the 21st century. This is the beginning of the discussion on the debatable and negotiable term of global citizenship education.
Exploration of the root of the western educational philosophy
Socrates says, "I cannot teach anybody anything, I can only make them think". In this proverb, we see how the Western educational system is deeply influenced by brain development gearing toward critical thinking, creativity, and inquiry based teaching. In order to discuss global citizenship within the realm of education, it is important to observe the root of Western educational philosophy that derives from Socrates. Many parts of the world have been influence by the Western pedagogy, especially students from leading universities (mostly in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada) embrace the Western philosophical idea of education.
Exploring the root of the eastern educational philosophy
Confucius says, "The perfecting of one self is the fundamental bases of all progress and all moral development." One of his analog stated, "Read ten thousand roll of books and travel ten thousand miles of road." Confucius philosophy is widely influence the educational perspective in Asia, especially China, Japan, and Korea. Clearly, Confucius encourages people to continuously develop oneself with effort and hard work. On the other hand, he also adds moral development, which often confused people who associate Confucionism as a religion instead of a philosophical ideal.
Exploring a new educational paradigm on global citizenship education
Global citizenship is not a fixed terminology, but it is a working definition, a perspective to see oneself as a residents of the planet earth. My own operational definition of global citizenship is: "A perspective of individuals as worldwide citizens, responsible for global issues beyond national and local boundaries, and possessing a deep respect for other cultures and human rights." Acquiring global citizenship view, however, is a difficult journey especially for those who come from disadvantaged background. Cultural exchange programs that required extensive traveling need financial support that unfortunately only few elites can enjoy. Global citizenship meaning is still a negotiable one and it is open for debate.
Exploring education in digital era
We live in an exciting era where our world becomes more interconnected and interdependent through technological advancement. Many children today are engaged with various gadgets ranging from personal computers, I-Pad, I-Phone, and many others. Further, they have become familiar with different internet interfaces and social media including Google, Facebook, Skype, and Twitter to exchange ideas, information, and eventually to communicate at a faster rate and frequency, despite their distant geographical regions. At the same time, the 21st Century brings a new set of challenge that force us to think with a multileveled identities as a person, community, nation, and globe. The evolving framework of global citizenship is a perspective to view one-self as part of the global world instead of only certain groups or communities. This framework is intriguing as it can foster a greater understanding that we should all respect each other. Finally, I would like to quoted Jesus Christ's teaching: "Love God with all your heart, mind, and soul as the first commandment, and love your neighbour as yourself as the second commandment". There are many complicated and debatable Biblical verses, but for me Christ' two commandments sum up the golden rule that will help humanity to collaborate with each other and to care for one another.
Global Citizens Characteristics
|
Open-minded
Responsible Non-judgmental Tolerance |
Understanding
Curious Multilingual 21st Century learner |
Critical thinker
Creative Teamwork Reaches out to different perspective |
Adaptable
Problem solving skill Leadership ability Exposes to different ideas |
Suggested further reading on Global Citizenship Education
Books:
Diversity and Citizenship Education by James Bank
Rethinking Globalization: Teaching for Justice in an Unjust World by Bigelow and Peterson
Flexible Citizenship by Aihwa Ong
Learning in the Global Era by Suarez Orozco
The Global Achievement Gap by Tony Wagner
The World is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century by Thomas L. Friedman
Citizenship and Citizenship Education in a Global Age by Wing-Wah Law
Journal Articles:
Disjuncture and Difference in The Global Cultural Economy by Arjun Appadurai
Comparing Neo-liberal Projects and In-equality in Education by Michael Apple
In the Location of Culture by Homi K. Bhabha
Education and Conscientiazacao by Paolo Freire
Time-space Compression and the Postmodern Condition by David Harvey
The State, Citizenship Education, and International Events in a Global Age: The 2008 Bejing Olympic Games by Wing Wah Law
The Repositioning of Citizenship by Saskia Sassen
Books:
Diversity and Citizenship Education by James Bank
Rethinking Globalization: Teaching for Justice in an Unjust World by Bigelow and Peterson
Flexible Citizenship by Aihwa Ong
Learning in the Global Era by Suarez Orozco
The Global Achievement Gap by Tony Wagner
The World is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century by Thomas L. Friedman
Citizenship and Citizenship Education in a Global Age by Wing-Wah Law
Journal Articles:
Disjuncture and Difference in The Global Cultural Economy by Arjun Appadurai
Comparing Neo-liberal Projects and In-equality in Education by Michael Apple
In the Location of Culture by Homi K. Bhabha
Education and Conscientiazacao by Paolo Freire
Time-space Compression and the Postmodern Condition by David Harvey
The State, Citizenship Education, and International Events in a Global Age: The 2008 Bejing Olympic Games by Wing Wah Law
The Repositioning of Citizenship by Saskia Sassen
Links to Other Websites related to Global Education
www.unicef.org
www.iearn.org
www.ibo.org www.one.laptop.org
www.globalchallengeaward.org
www.edutopia.org
www.gatesfoundation.org
www.khanacademy.org