Challenges to Educationalists

Facing an uncertain world, educators:- 

  1. must continuously empower  themselves with knowledge and experiences regarding local and global realities and challenges. The resulting empowerment should drive them to examine and reflect on ideas and opinions about their development as responsible global citizens;
  2. must plan courses and develop pedagogical strategies that will result in exciting and challenging classes and learning environments. Such strategies must take into consideration a new generation of curious and vocal students who integrate IT as their primary learning tool. Consequently, technology becomes a necessary teaching and learning resource that can motivate learners to engage and think critically about various issues and information, while interacting with their peers, educators and well-informed groups around the world. Hence, technology and the Internet can provide bridges that will help all learners to step out of their silo thinking. On the other hand, through technology, educators may also develop supportive networks with colleagues who are proactive in the teaching of global citizenship.
  3. must view themselves as agents of change and advocates for global citizenship education, committed to facilitating current or updated knowledge about the world, helping learners develop competencies and skills that will allow them to think critically and become creative problem solvers. Educators should also foster and model attitudes that reinforce, at a minimum, respect and empathy for others and that promote individual and collective responsibilities towards Earth and humanity.
The new national curriculum for Wales addresses these three challenges in the Humanities Area of Learning and Experience, which begins with local place-based learning to awaken a sense of wonder, fire the imagination and inspire learners to grow in knowledge, understanding and wisdom. This Area encourages learners to then engage with the most important issues facing humanity, including sustainability and social change, and help to develop the skills necessary to interpret and articulate the past and the present.

Islands in Mind is a voluntary group of all ages testing the idea of establishing a network of bloggers to explore the use of IT in place-based learning. It is focused on learning that is rooted in local communities, makes use of local economic activities and the unique history, culture, tradition and other community reference. It points to engage more effectively with children and young people within the context of their lives. It recognises the role of place, culture and community in informing their own identity and their social relationships. Briefly, there are three key aims:

  • enhancing the learning experiences and well being by making learning locally relevant to their lives

  • involving families and community in the learning process – beneficial for learning and helping learners to understand and engage with their communities

  • strengthening communities

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