Summary of learning and next steps

This week, we have explored the range of ideas and perspectives in the field of global education and also identified its core elements – knowledge and understanding, skills, values and action. We also looked at how these might be addressed through the use of critical and active pedagogical approaches.

It’s complex!

These are, of course, potentially challenging things for teachers to bring into their practice, and the opportunities to do this can be limited both by what is practically feasible (in terms of available resources, diverse student needs, time within the teaching day, etc.) and what is socially and politically acceptable within particular contexts (e.g. prevailing approaches to teaching and learning, the demands of assessment, politically sensitive topics, and so on.

It’s therefore important that teachers do not feel that they must adapt a single or ‘ideal’ approach to global education, and instead consider what is feasible within their own context. They can then reflect on how best to negotiate any opportunities and challenges these present in their own practice.

One step at a time

Another key consideration is teachers’ own confidence and starting points for integrating global education in their practice. It might be sensible, for instance, to begin by introducing a few limited elements or activities into teaching and then to slowly introduce more challenging topics and approaches over time. Remember this is a journey and you need to go at a pace that’s appropriate for you.

So, the next step is to reflect on how your own practice and perspective fits into these discussions of global education, and to consider ways that you might take your own learning forward in the future. This will be our focus in the final week of the course.

Additional reading

We have again provided some additional resources for you to look at in the Downloads area of this step. These readings are optional but will provide an interesting extension to some of the topics we have discussed this week.