Mastering Global Literacy: Chapter 1

How do you teach global competency?

     Chapter 1 of "Mastering Global Literacy" looks at the globally competent student and what we as teachers can do to provide students the avenue to become globally competent. After thinking more in depth I really liked the question, "why do we live where we live?". There are many reasons people many have but what is the main reason. What brought people to where they are now? What even brought people to the United States? Unfortunately, I do not believe many of my students knew this answer, so I asked.  Some of the responses I got were shocking. "I moved here for a better life" and "my family felt I could get the most out of life if I lived in the United States."  I thought to myself, was I wrong? Do they understand global competency more than I thought they did? According to chapter 1 in "Mastering Global Literacy", global competence is he following:

• Investigating the world beyond immediate environment 
• Recognizing other perspectives
• Effective communication with diverse population
• Ability to take action

     Because an overwhelming number of my students are not from the United States originally I feel our school as a whole does a decent job educating our students globally. The global competent student "prepares by learning how to investigate matters of global significance". This can be done through teaching history, language, geography and other cultures. In our school all these areas are covered with multiple others.  Also, our school offers after school programs for the students if there is not a class on it. In history class they study how power effects different people in different countries and how it has developed over time. In our language classes we discuss various speech and cultures. In English class they look at different writing techniques used around the world. 

     Unfortunately, when I look at the things I was doing in my class I did not feel I was teaching and preparing my students to be globally competent.  So I examined our curriculum and looked deeper into the topics we cover. After analyzing my curriculum I found myself saying I do things that embrace global competence. For example, in health class we discuss various health trends. Our discussions do not stop with the United States but are embraced in all parts of the world. We also discuss compassion for others through our self esteem and bullying units. Currently, I am in a bullying unit.  Within the unit, each student must develop their own newspaper. There newspaper must include articles of bullying from around the world. They must then analyze what happened, why, and develop possible solutions people could have done to make the outcome different.  
     In my physical education class is where I believe I could improve upon. The only time we touch upon global competence is through sportsmanship and incorporating teamwork. It is important when thinking on a global level but I would like to incorporate more into my classroom. During their junior year physical education class, students prepare a lesson to present to the class. The lesson provides us with a game played in different parts of the world. The student must learn the game and the rules. They then must present it to the class as if they lived in the country who plays it. Some students love the unit and even dress up for it. Others just do what needs to be done.  

 

Image CC from www.wikia.com

     In conclusion, there are so many things a teacher can to to incorporate global literacy into their classroom.  For example, in this video Zack Morris, from saved by the bell, is told to research his heritage and present it to he class. At first, Zack did not care to look too much into his heritage until he was told he could not participate in the rival track meet unless the assignment was completed. It was then when Zack started to take the assignment more seriously. He became more in touch with himself once he knew where he came from.  Global competency is a topic that should be weaved into each curriculum. After all, "every major issue people face has a global dimension."