Curriculum Resources

 

One of the most important aspects of curriculum that we as educators need to acknowledge is the fact that the world is much more interconnected than in previous generations. We need to teach our students to become independent learners and to use all resources they have available to create connections with peers in other countries. Teachers must take the time to educate themselves on global issues and bring that knowledge to the classroom. I have listed some very useful resources below to use in your classroom and also to educate yourself on global issues or standardized testing.

 

Annotated Bibliography

(n.d.). Retrieved May 30, 2012, from International Digital Children's Library: http://en.childrenslibrary.org/

International Children's Digital Library 

The International Children's Digital Library is an online collection of children’s books from around the world. There are many languages on here, some books are in English, are bi-lingual, or are written entirely in another language.

Tough choices or tough times. (2007). Retrieved May 30, 2012, from National Center on Education and the Economy: www.skillscommission.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/ToughChoices_EXECSUM.pdf

Linked is a report from the NCEE that proposes radical change to our educational system. “The National Center on Education and the Economy is a not-for-profit organization created to develop proposals for building the world class education and training system that the United States must have it is to continue to be a world class economy. The national Center engages in policy analysis and development and works collaboratively with others at the local, state, and national levels to advance its proposals in the policy arena." The image below summarizes the proposed new system. Note that there is still a heavy emphasis on exams.

 Overview of PISA 2009 Profiles by Country/ Economy. (2009). Retrieved May 30, 2012, from OECD: http://stats.oecd.org/PISA2009Profiles/#

Overview of PISA 2009 Profiles by Country/ Economy

This is an interactive visual representation of country profiles and test results. It helps put into place many of the statistics that I have been discussing.

Concern USA. (2011). Retrieved May 30, 2012, from Concern Worldwide: http://www.concernusa.org/

Concern Worldwide

Concern Worldwide provides an informative resource for students and teachers alike, very easy to navigate and student friendly! This site allows students and teachers to become informed about international issues and ways to become a part of resolutions. Also provided are free supports and resources. Guest speakers can be provided via webcast if requested.

Curriculum. (2011). Retrieved May 30, 2012, from Adobe Youth Voices: http://essentials.youthvoices.adobe.com/curriculum.aspx

Adobe Youth Voices

Adobe Youth Voices is an incredible resource for youth-centered curriculum. Students use technology to express themselves. “Adobe Youth Voices Essentials is a set of open curricula and resources for educators to create breakthrough learning experiences for young people. Based on the best practices of the Adobe Youth Voices program, the Adobe Foundation's signature philanthropy initiative, these tools help empower youth to "create with purpose." These films provide expression of many issues that are happening in their neighborhoods as well as the problems they see such as the conflicts in the Middle East. This website also sponsors a competition for student projects which provides additional incentive.

"Deaf Not Dumb"

(2012). Retrieved May 30, 2012, from Primary Source: http://primarysource.org/homepage

Primary Source

Primary Source is a nonprofit professional development organization working to bring global perspectives into K-12 classrooms across the country. A number of resources, including guides and curriculum as well as online courses and webinars, are designed to help teachers expand their knowledge and understanding of world histories and cultures.

(2012, May 29). Retrieved May 30, 2012, from World Savvy: http://worldsavvy.org/

World Savvy

World Savvy provides resources for teachers and youth on a variety of global issues. Professional development institutes and workshops show how to globalize content across the K-12 curriculum.

  

(2012). Retrieved May 30, 2012, from Link TV: http://www.linktv.org/

LinkTV

LinkTV brings international perspectives to Americans through satellite TV broadcasts and online streaming video. This is a great resource for documentaries with an international focus that could be used for teacher education or classroom lessons.

Edutopia. (2012, May 29). Retrieved May 30, 2012, from What Works In Education: http://www.edutopia.org/

Edutopia

Edutopia is an amazing resource for teachers that covers many topics. Most interesting for me is the extensive assessment resources as well as a page devoted to what different schools are doing that we can use as inspiration as teachers.

Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). (2012, May 16). Retrieved May 30, 2012, from OECD: http://www.pisa.oecd.org/pages/0,2987,en_32252351_32235731_1_1_1_1_1,00.html

PISA

“Are students well prepared for future challenges? Can they analyse, reason and communicate effectively? Do they have the capacity to continue learning throughout life? The OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) answers these questions and more, through its surveys of 15-year-olds in the principal industrialised countries. Every three years, it assesses to what extent students near the end of compulsory education have acquired some of the knowledge and skills essential for full participation in society.” This is the webpage for the PISA assessment and has an incredible amount of information about PISA, standardized tests, and the countries that are assessed as a part of PISA.

Above is the result of PISA 2009.

Standardized Tests. (2012, May 24). Retrieved May 30, 2012, from ProCon.org: http://standardizedtests.procon.org/

Pros/Cons of Standardized Testing

“Proponents say standardized tests are a fair and objective measure of student achievement, that they ensure teachers and schools are accountable to taxpayers, and that the most relevant constituents – parents and students – approve of testing.” This resources gives an excellent background of standardized testing in America as well as the pros and cons associated with testing.

Teach UNICEF. (2012). Retrieved May 30, 2012, from UNICEF: http://teachunicef.org/explore/topic

Teach UNICEF

TeachUNICEF is a portfolio of free global education resources. There is an incredible amount of free resources here for grades PK-12.

Teachable Moment. (2012, April 26). Retrieved May 30, 2012, from Morninside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility: http://www.teachablemoment.org/

Teachable Moment

We all have opportunities to use our classrooms to support genuine conversations surrounding relevant issues our students encounter. This is a great diversity resource for classroom teachers that also acknowledges international educational issues. There are many great lesson plans for all grade levels.

“The classroom lessons on TeachableMoment foster critical thinking on issues of the day and a positive classroom environment.”

Teacher Resources. (2012, May 9). Retrieved May 30, 2012, from World Affair Council: http://www.world-affairs.org/programs/global-classroom/teacher-resources/

World Affairs Council

Each link on this page will take you to a page describing what will be a multi-page pdf filled with resources for specific topics affecting nations globally. There are many very traditionally touchy topics listed here but information is presented in manageable chunks that allows the teacher to gain a solid knowledge base in order to lead students through these difficult topics that may or may not be discussed otherwise.

TIMSS & PIRLS. (2012). Retrieved May 30, 2012, from TIMSS & PIRLS International Study Center: http://timssandpirls.bc.edu/#

TIMSS/ PIRLS

“The TIMSS and PIRLS International Study Center is dedicated to conducting comparative studies in educational achievement. It serves as the international hub for the IEA’s mathematics, science and reading assessments.” Go here for detailed information on these assessments, the countries being assessed, and what to expect from these assessments.

iEARN. (n.d.). Retrieved May 30, 2012, from International Education and Resource Network: http://www.iearn.org/

iEARN

“iEARN (International Education and Resource Network) is the world's largest non-profit global network that enables teachers and youth to use the Internet and other technologies to collaborate on projects that enhance learning and make a difference in the world.” Teachers can pick a project they would like to be involved in that will fit their curricular needs.

Above is iEARN's 20th Anniversary Video 

International Education Week. (n.d.). Retrieved May 30, 2012, from US Department of State/ US Department of Educaion: http://iew.state.gov/

International Education Week

International Education Week is a "joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education" and "is part of our efforts to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences in the United States."

The dates for International Education Week 2012 are November 12th - 16^th. Below you will see a video of Secretary of Education Arne Duncan welcoming the public to International Education Week 2011 and states that International education week:

"celebrates the benefits of understanding the world around us so we can better communicate and collaborate with others from different cultures." 

Above you see a video embedded of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaking about International Education Week from 2011. She emphasizes the importance of student exchange where students learn about a culture by living it, instead of simply visiting a country and merely having a cursory understanding of a community, country, and it's people. She states:

"The United States has always been a global leader in higher education, but to remain the leader in this ever-changing world we have to push ourselves not just to think globally, but to get out there and study globally as well."

Tavangar, H. S. (2009). Growing up global. Ballantine Books.

 Growing Up Global

A great book you can recommend for parents, use yourselves, or even adapt some strategies to your classroom! Summary from Amazon.com:

“In today’s increasingly interconnected world, how do we prepare our children to succeed and to become happy, informed global citizens? A mother of three, Homa Sabet Tavangar has spent her career helping governments develop globally oriented programs and advising businesses on how to thrive abroad. In Growing Up Global, Tavangar shares with all of us her “parenting toolbox” to help give our children a vital global perspective.

Whether you’re mastering a greeting in ten different languages, throwing an internationally themed birthday party, or celebrating a newfound holiday, Growing Up Global provides parents and children with a rich, exciting background for exploring and connecting with far-flung nations they may have only heard about on television.

Click here to see the listing on Amazon.

Teachers For Global Classrooms Program. (n.d.). Retrieved May 30, 2012, from US Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs: http://exchanges.state.gov/programs/educators/teachers-for-global-classrooms.html

Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, US Department of State: Global Education Programs

Contains many links to professional development focused on developing teachers to be internationally conscious specifically: Teachers for Global Classrooms Program.

“The Teachers for Global Classrooms Program (TGC) provides a professional development opportunity for middle and high school teachers from the United States to participate in a program aimed at globalizing U.S. classrooms through an online professional development course, two Washington, D.C.-based symposiums and a two to three week professional development exchange to one of the following countries: Brazil, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Morocco and Ukraine.”

The Pearson Foundation & The Mobile Learning Institute. (n.d.). Yong Zhao: no child left behind and global competitiveness. Michigan. Retrieved May 30, 2012, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5nepSM7Lm8

"Yong Zhao: No Child Left Behind and Global Competitiveness"

Dr. Yong Zhao is currently Presidential Chair and Associate Dean for Global Education, College of Education at the University of Oregon, where he is a full professor in the Department of Educational Measurement, Policy and Leadership (EMPL). He is a fellow of the International Academy for Education. He clearly articulates the often undervalued American education system. He states that "a strength of American Education is the celebration of individual talents" and that "we should stop comparing with other countries... Americans should be more American, not more Chinese or Indian or Japanese." He discusses how standardized testing has been around for centuries in Chinese education and has caused irreparable damage to their education system and says that "the damage is huge... if No Child Left Behind continues, if people start to believe that the quality of education, of schools is test score then it will be hard to reverse that."

ThinkQuest. (n.d.). Retrieved May 30, 2012, from Oracle: http://www.thinkquest.org/en/

ThinkQuest

ThinkQuest, is a global competition where student teams (many of which are made up of members from different countries) explore a contemporary world topic and create a website. Their professional development opportunities not only prepare teachers for the competition, but also offer lessons on how to integrate technology, project learning, and 21st century skills development into their classroom curricula.