Teaching Locally While Thinking Globally

Global Perspectives in Learning Space and Place 

Internationalization-at-Home (IaH) is a concept focused on by Agnew and Kahn (2014), describing an academic model which seizes on the common learning space as a place where global learning can not only occur, but flourish. Specifically, Agnew and Kahn (2014) state, "...the most effective IaH seamlessly redefines classrooms and campuses as environments and experiences that are intentionally designed to promote intercultural, international, and global learning" (p. 32). This model heightens the perspective of student learning outcomes by viewing them through a global lens. Reaching for success using the IaH model includes weaving global learning outcomes into the fabric of the curriculum and community.

What is Global Learning 

Terry Heick writes in a March, 2016, article for teach thought, that global learning may be more accurately considered by paying attention to scale. Heick highlights the counter intuitive approach to globalizing a curriculum, that is to start small--with self. Heick goes on to underscore the importance of understanding relevant terms on common ground:

"...global is a word that describes anything that is truly worldwide in its awareness, interdependence, and application. [Also:] Global implies a scale that's not just ambitious and comprehensive, but truly inclusive by definition.

"...a curriculum is intentionally designed of learning content and experiences."

"The process of globalization is simply a complete illumination of the planet through the interdependent illumination of the local."

The "illumination of the local" is cultivated through the growth of strong learning communities, where an understanding of the individual is nurtured, so that broader perspectives become the natural progression. Driving questions can then become ones like:

What can I offer to this conversation/idea/work? What can I learn from others? Why does this matter?

Tools to Expand Ideas Outward 

With the understanding that learning spaces and places represent opportunities to learn about the individuals that inhabit them, and that individuals, as part of global learning, thoughtfully come together to bridge self understanding with a greater whole, there are many ways that this purposefully incremental thinking can make its way into lessons and activities. 

http://www.projectnoah.org/missions

Project Noah (Networked Organisms and Habitats) is an online community for nature exploration and documentation. This resource provides a platform for customized missions, and provides access to others' missions, resources and teaching materials. Project Noah proclaims their ultimate goal to be: to document all the world's organisms. Here is the explanation page for teachers to register and set up a classroom.

Global Dimension is a UK based website, which serves as a hub to link students and educators with global issues and correlating resources. On their About page, part of what they do includes these four points; opportunities for students to:

• critically examine their own values and attitudes
• appreciate the similarities between people everywhere, and learn to value diversity 
• understand the global context of their local lives 
• develop skills that will enable them to combat injustice, prejudice and discrimination 

This site is impressive for its range and organization of resources. For example, a search under the topic, Aid & relief, yields an entry about the Refugee crisis, including age ranges from 5-7 and 7-11.

https://globaldimension.org.uk/resources/search/?fwp_topic=aid-relief

References

Agnew, M., & Khan, H.E. (2014). Internationalization-at-home: Grounded practices to promote intercultural, international, and global Learning. Metropolitan Universities, 24(3), 31-46. Retrieved from http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1092773.pdf

Heick, K. (2014, March 31). The definition of global learning. teach thought. Retrieved from http://www.teachthought.com/everything-else/culture/the-definition-of-global-learning/