We are living in a time of earth systems breakdown. Humankind and other life on our planet are on the brink, most likely the brink of collapse in some form. The task before us as educators is great since this is a time of multiple and complex crises. However, humanity seems paralysed, unable to face the immensity and urgency of the combined…

Globally competent people are aware of world issues, take perspective, are engaged and know how to communicate to different people. This article portraits a story of two kindergarten classrooms, one in the United States and the other in Greece, both working with culturally diverse children and, in the case of the American classroom, English…

Tracy A. Sugarman served in the U.S. Navy as a lieutenant, junior grade, in the European theater during World War II. During his years of service from 1942-45, in addition to writing letters home, he recorded his experiences through original artwork. His sketches and watercolor paintings, completed before, during, and after D-Day, with titles such…

In October, Myanmar's pro-democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, got a quirky request on YouTube. A hyperactive instructor in a plaid jacket posted a video inviting her to do a Skype interview with his "World Regions" geography class at Virginia Tech. Ms. Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate often compared to Nelson Mandela, might have…

Military patriotic upbringing is a component of the educational process. One would think that there is nothing to be argued about in this regard. However, a number of textbooks and school handbooks on the history of Russia that have been recommended by the Ministry of Science and Education of Russia cannot stand up to any criticism in this regard.…

As educators interested in pedagogical uses of technology, we utilize the internet to improve students' knowledge and awareness of the world beyond our own national borders. Web-based technologies offer us resources for our courses and can play an important role in promoting a more active style of learning from our students. Yet when teaching…

Discussion of terrorism and the war against it has remained front and center in American's lives and America's classrooms since September 11, 2001. The author suggests four areas for examining this subject from the perspective of the 18 months since the attack: (1) Iraq (Fighting the War, Results of the War and the "endgame," Iraq and…

The goal of this lesson is to present the basic scientific knowledge about stem cells, the promise of stem cell research to medicine, and the ethical considerations and arguments involved. One of the challenges of discussing stem cell research is that the field is constantly evolving and the most current information changes almost daily. Few…

This document is a guide to using the "National Security Series", which consists of seven books designed for teaching about national security issues in high school social studies classes. Five of the series books contain lessons designed to supplement specific courses by relating national security issues to U.S. government, U.S. history,…

The primary goal of global education is to prepare students to be effective and responsible citizens in a global society. Toward this end, students need to practice real-life skills, gain knowledge of the world, and develop expertise in viewing events and issues from diverse global perspectives. How are social studies teachers preparing young…

In some ways America's response to the murderous surprise attacks of September 11, 200l, resembled that of previous wars. The nation was mobilized and its military directed to hit back as soon as possible. Unlike past wars, however, the enemy proved to be a shadowy terrorist organization with a religious identity, a long-term strategy, and no…

National Public Radio's educational staff is experimenting with radio in the classroom by dramatizing the issues of the Afghan crisis in an audiodisc presentation mailed to teachers around the country. The article includes samples of dialogue from the tape, student opinions, and why radio is the medium used. (CT)

Addresses the importance of teaching young people about foreign policy issues. Discusses state sovereignty and interpersonal and international conflict. Describes a reflective teaching approach in which a problem is identified, defined, and explored by probing questions. Suggests identifying value assumptions and alternatives, predicting…

The author lists five basic concepts on global issues which he presented to his seventh-grade social science class to heighten understanding of world affairs and to promote critical thinking. He gives an account of the procedures employed and the reactions of his pupils to these concepts. (Author/SJL)

Explains that economics is the science of choice based on the limited resources of the world, and that teaching about how the world's people make those choices creates better global understanding. Advocates teaching economics with an international perspective because most national economies are no longer self-contained but internationally…