Heather Singmaster, director at the Center for Global Education at Asia Society, curated this group blog in which education leaders discussed global competence based on best practices from around the world. This blog is no longer being updated.
States
Opinion
Global and Competition: Two Dirty Words in Education
Two words seem to resonate across the country as dirty words: "competition" and "global." Heather Singmaster keeps hearing that the message must focus on cooperation instead of competition and that global is perceived as a dirty word in many communities. But is she really swearing like a sailor?
States
Opinion
Don't Believe These Five Myths About China
Kevin Rudd, senior fellow at Harvard's Kennedy School and former prime minister of Australia, on the danger of mutual misperceptions between powers such as China and the United States. Rudd cautioned against five commonly held myths about China, including the difficulty of learning Chinese.
States
Opinion
Students Earn Credits for Languages They Know
Many students entering U.S. schools with the ability to speak a language other than English, are told that this is not an asset. Michele Anciaux Aoki explains how this is no longer the case in Washington state.
Federal
Opinion
Global Writing Communities
Participating in an online, global writing community not only helps all students improve their written work but also enables them to collaborate on a global scale.
Federal
Opinion
Maintaining Strong International Partnerships: Five Lessons
How one North Carolina school nurtured a partnership with a school in China that eventually allowed 100 American educators to travel to China.
Federal
Opinion
Establishing Strong International Partnerships: Five Lessons
How one North Carolina school established a partnership with a school in China--and advice for others looking to do the same.
School & District Management
Opinion
Arne Duncan on the International Summit on the Teaching Profession
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan shares his report from the 4th International Summit on the Teaching Profession.
Teaching Profession
Opinion
Excellence and Equity: Policy Lessons From Around the World
The theme of this year's International Summit on the Teaching Profession was "Excellence, Equity, and Inclusiveness" and addressed some high-priority questions for the participating countries including how can high-quality teachers be attracted to schools with the greatest needs? And what are the levers for improving equity in increasingly devolved education systems?
Curriculum
Opinion
Four Reasons Why You Should Teach About Religion in School
Teaching about religion is essential to the creation of respectful learning environments that adequately prepare students for the world.
Teacher Preparation
Opinion
Lessons From Shanghai's Professional Learning System
Shanghai approached teacher professional development by building on tradition and adapting what they saw as the best ideas from other countries, including England, Finland, and the United States. Learn more.
Classroom Technology
Opinion
Is Travel Necessary?
Can one be globally competent without leaving the country? We explore this question.
Curriculum
Opinion
Language, Literacy, and Identity
Chinese and American English languages both evolved in an effort to increase literacy rates. An interesting historical perspective.
Classroom Technology
Opinion
The New 'It' Language
Why computer programming is the "it" language for the global innovation age.
Teacher Preparation
Opinion
How to Teach for the Global Innovation Age
A new graduate-level teaching certification focuses on the knowledge and skills needed for the global innovation age.