¿Globalization? |
However, on
the other hand we can define “Globalization” as a phenomenon of open economies
and borders that has been developed as the result of the increase of commercial
exchanges, the circulation of ideas and people, the dissemination of
information and knowledge, and so on.
In my
opinion, we can analyze the world we are living in from four different points
of view. There is a social view, a natural view, a cultural view and an ethical
view. These four views are important aspects to take into account when we, as a
teacher, are trying to define the world globalization and also trying to teach
our pupils in this global world.
If we
focus on the social view, I would say that one of the characteristics of
our world is inequality, so welfares
raised in some countries have not spread to other countries. However, new
technologies have contributed worldwide important changes, but despite of that,
the social and economic inequalities have not disappeared. The result of that
can be summarized in that way: globalization has made rich countries richer and
poor countries poorer.
On the
other hand, if we focus on cultural view, we can find “the first word”
with big cultural possibilities but with lots of irrelevant information, and
the “third word” with big lack of educational resources where most of the
population is illiterate. Again, the new technologies have made bigger the
difference between the world that can have access to big amounts of information
and knowledge and the world that can’t have it.
But, if
we focus on an ethical view, we have a desire to get a better world.
However, each step make to get this better world expect by everyone has to be based
on the equality principle.
Despite I
have commented some negatives aspects of globalization, it is important to have
an open view of that word, because living in a global world it has also positive qualities.
Finding out new cultures through food |
We have to take into account that globalization does not remove any culture or despise it, if not the idea behind
this word is to mix global cultures with the local’s ones. A clear example can
be found in any city’s restaurants. Wherever we go, no matter the city or the
country, we will find different kinds of restaurants “Chinese, Spanish,
Italians, Pakistanis, etc.”. That is a consequence of globalization, and also
it is an open door to know through the gastronomy new cultures.
Once I
have analyzed the word “globalization” I am going to talk about why education
and globalization are linked.
First of
all, we have to take into account that we are living in a complex and
constantly changing society, so this is the reason why we, as teachers, have to
take advantage of this pluralistic world to find new reasons and ways to teach.
If we have in mind the differences between students and embrace other cultures,
we get a first argument to do intercultural education, which is a natural
feature of the community.
It is
important to think that multiculturality in our classrooms is a consequence of
the globalization process that has made possible the worldwide people’s
movement.
At this point, we can find one of globalization's characteristic:
At this point, we can find one of globalization's characteristic:
The relationship’s
increase between different countries around the world has produced a continuous
flow of population; and this flow of population has been possible thanks to the transportation development.
Our group poster |
"although community may seem homogeneous, it always has a certain degree of internal cultural heterogeneity, intracultura.".
This aspect can be seen it in the picture our group painted. It is important to remember that interculturality is given by each one of our pupils’ personal culture. So, as we have seen culture is not an static concept.
Based on this idea, as future teachers we must be able to work culture with our students in an open way. A good way to do this is bearing in mind the 4 savoirs exposed by Byram:
- to explore new cultures.
- to know our own culture and the others' culture.
- to interpret things from other cultures and compare them with our own culture. (make students show interest for their own and their classmates' culture).
- to respect their classmates' culture and to be open-minded with cultures they are not familiar with.
On the
other hand, the newspaper’s picture represents the amount of information that
students receive continuously in their daily lives; as well as they can get information
by using new technologies. As future teachers we have to think about how ICT
has open worldwide borders. In that case, we have to teach students to filter information;
otherwise, they will not become competent citizens in this global world.
That makes me talk about another characteristic of globalization:
The truth is that we could make a long list, but I am going to focus on a specific aspect.
As we all know, one of the contribution of the telecommunication revolution has been the opportunity to communicate instantly between people from other places of the world.
Nowadays, a major part of schools have included new technologies as a part of their students' schedule, however, I would like to talk about how this telecommunication revolution has influenced the school where I did my teaching practice last year.
This school had a project whose main objective was to improve students' language English skills. This project consisted in writing emails to a pen pal from UK. With this project students improved their English level and they learnt a new culture, as well as they show their own one.
Maybe it can seem not a very innovative project but in Spain it is, so if the telecommunication revolution, consequence of globalization, had not existed, many schools could not carry out innovative projects like this.
GLOBALIZATION CORE CONCEPTS
That makes me talk about another characteristic of globalization:
Globalization
has been developed thanks to the technological revolution and the emergence of
new media like internet.
HOW EDUCATION HAS CHANGED
DUE TO THE APPEARANCE OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES?
Telecommunication revolution |
As we all know, one of the contribution of the telecommunication revolution has been the opportunity to communicate instantly between people from other places of the world.
Nowadays, a major part of schools have included new technologies as a part of their students' schedule, however, I would like to talk about how this telecommunication revolution has influenced the school where I did my teaching practice last year.
This school had a project whose main objective was to improve students' language English skills. This project consisted in writing emails to a pen pal from UK. With this project students improved their English level and they learnt a new culture, as well as they show their own one.
Maybe it can seem not a very innovative project but in Spain it is, so if the telecommunication revolution, consequence of globalization, had not existed, many schools could not carry out innovative projects like this.
GLOBALIZATION CORE CONCEPTS
COMMUNICATION: comes from Latin “communis”, which means the involvement or relationship that exists between individuals. Communication is a characteristic and a need for individuals and societies in order to exchange information and interact with each other. Is the way people convey information through the exchange of messages, thoughts or information that can be verbal or non-verbal. We have to be aware that although communication is related to the action of transmitting something orally or in writing, we must take into account that we can communicate without speaking or writing. Gestures are also a different way to communicate.
CULTURE: we can find two concepts that define this word. If we conceive the word culture as something static, the definition I will give it would be the following one: set of lifestyles and customs of an age or social group. However, there is a dynamic definition for the word culture that it is understood as the way each person thinks, believes and acts as a product of being in contact with different kinds of people in a diversity of contexts.
IDENTITY: set of traits of an individual or a collective that differentiates one from others. Is the awareness that a person has about himself/herself and unlike to any other.
*I have considered important to define this word because from my point of view, the culture in which a person moves and is part of your surroundings influences a person’s personality and consequently its identity.
INTERCULTURAL COMPETENCE: Meyer (1991), defines this concept as the identification of a person's ability to act appropriately and flexibly to deal with actions, attitudes and expectations of people from other cultures. The adequacy and flexibility imply possess a knowledge of the cultural differences between the language itself and, in addition, have the ability to solve problems as a result of such cultural differences. Intercultural competence includes the ability to stabilize their own identity in the process of mediation between cultures and help others to stabilize his.
MULTILINGUALISM: is the co-existence of several languages in the same area and at the same level. We must differentiate multilingualism and plurilingualism. The last one refers to the ability of a person to know and use more than one communication code (language).
SOCIALIZATION: is the process through which people learn and internalize the rules and values of a society and of a specific culture. THis learning allows us to obtain the necessary skills to develop ourselves successfully in social interactions.
Alba,
ReplyDeleteYou have been very successful in designing your blog. Congratulations!
Here is feedback to you on the theme “Globalization”
Concerning task 1 which is ..:”Reflect on this quote: Globalization can ... be define as the intensification of worldwide social relations which link distant localities in such a way that local happenings are shaped by events occurring many miles away and vice versa.' (Anthony Giddens, former director of London School of Economics).
You have very well described and reflected on what globalization is and what the challenges are for teachers. Your example from your own school experience is very relevant.
Concerning task 2 which is ..:”Write core concepts from this challenge with definitions” which is the same as the section called ”Glossary”: “ In this section you collect 3-7 core concepts from each challenge to form your personal glossary on globalization. Write your own definition in English AND in your own language. Order the concepts thematically and/or alphabetically”
You have started your “Glossary” in a good way. There are a lot of other concepts that is relevant to include in the coming weeks.
Yours
Egon Hedegaard, eghedegaard@gmail.dk
PS: I recommend checking out the following links, and place then in your links section:
The ICDL Foundation is making children's literature available online free of charge. The mission is to support the world's children in becoming effective members of the global community - who exhibit tolerance and respect for diverse cultures, languages and ideas. Sign in and get access to 4643 books in 61 languages: http://en.childrenslibrary.org/about/mission.shtml Notice: iPhone & iPad apps are available.
Learning acts & teacher training manual: http://en.childrenslibrary.org/books/activities/index.shtml
TakingITGlobal use the power of online community to facilitate global education, social entrepreneurship, and civic engagement for millions of youth between the ages of 13 to 30
worldwide. Link: www.tigweb.org "Global Issues" on the TakingITGlobal website connects people to the issues that matter to them most: http://www.tigweb.org/global-issues/
"Tread Lightly" is a free climate change education and engagement program. The aim is to empower youth to reduce their ecological footprints and take action on climate change. The interactive tools on the website may be used in schools as well as by any group or individual: click http://treadlightly.tigweb.org/
"Website Tour": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syatRXG5O3w&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Small actions can have a big impact on the environment if lots of people do the same:
Commit2act is an app for iPhone & iPad inspiring you to act and document and share with others. Free in App Store. Information at http://www.commit2act.org/