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 This blog is no longer being updated.
Federal
Opinion
Myths and Realities of International Field Experiences
It is time to debunk the myths around student teaching abroad, perpetuated by colleges of education. I often meet with teacher educators who express an interest in providing overseas student teaching opportunities, but find the barriers too great. As I listen to these challenges, I have started to see a pattern emerging of commonly cited barriers—most of which are viewed as impossible to overcome. Not so. I have done research on international student teaching in the United States in order to get a better grasp on the availability of these programs and a better sense of how they operate. I learned that many of the commonly perceived challenges are, in fact, overcome in institutions all over the country.
Teacher Preparation
Opinion
A Strong Start for Teachers
New report highlights global best practices in recruiting and inducting new teachers into the teaching profession.
Teaching
Opinion
Student Leadership: Fostering True Change
What skills and knowledge does it take to go from learning about the world to making a difference in the world? Two Cincinnati teachers tell us about one change they made in their teaching to help their students make this transformation.
Curriculum
Opinion
Global Partnerships: 5 Steps to Success
A virtual exchange, or a project done in collaboration with global peers using technology, gives youth an opportunity to build friendships and mutual understanding across countries. It takes time, planning, and patience, however, to build partnerships for effective global project-based learning. These five steps outline the most important things to know for finding, building, and strengthening partnerships with global peers to lead to a successful and meaningful project exchange experience.
Assessment
Opinion
How to Assess 21st Century Competencies: 12 Key Lessons
We conducted a comprehensive review of assessments of 21st century competencies, including widely used measures and some that are in development, and talked with educators about how these measures are being used and the challenges and limitations associated with them. Based on this review, we identified a set of key lessons learned for those who develop or implement these new assessment systems.
Assessment
Opinion
Assessing 21st-Century Skills and Competencies Around the World
A new report on how to measure creativity, collaboration, and other 21st century competencies.
Standards & Accountability
Opinion
Diversity Education Goes for the Gold!
Through Olympic-themed lessons, you can promote respect for religious and other forms of diversity while developing healthy habits, good character, and essential academic skills. Such lessons can easily be integrated into the regular school day because of their academic content and their potential for alignment with Common Core State Standards. They also lend themselves well to afterschool programs, which can put more emphasis on physical movement and interaction.
Assessment
Opinion
State of the Union: My Take on Obama's 'Year of Action'
Can we finally make education the great equalizer Horace Mann said it could be, nearly 200 years ago?
Assessment
Opinion
On Shanghai Education: A View From the Streets
Is Shanghai a model of educational equity? We look at some historical and international perspectives along with those of ordinary citizens on the streets of Shanghai.
Curriculum
Opinion
Classrooms at the Front Line of Reform
A new report highlights classrooms at the frontlines of innovative school reform, and offers ideas and actions so all students can take full advantage of the global innovation age.
Federal
Opinion
Sister City Educational Exchanges
Infographic: The United States has nearly 2,000 Sister City partnerships--connect your school to one.
Teaching
Opinion
Sprouting Ideas: Integrate Global Agriculture Into Teaching
Previously, we shared how food production and distribution is—and has for centuries—been a global issue. Today's blog post is dedicated to putting those ideas to practice in the classroom.
Federal
Opinion
Agriculture Education Matters
Students with the cultural competence to work in agri-business (from the family farm to large trade businesses) will be prepared for the global workplace they will be stepping into when they graduate.
Assessment
Opinion
A New Movement in Teacher Education
Today, Caitlin Haugen, Executive Director, Global Teacher Education, returns to share with us how teacher education is increasingly international in focus.