Incorporating global themes in your curriculum can be one of the most effective ways to engage your classroom in an open dialogue about intercultural learning. Whether you teach social studies or STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education, there are a variety of creative ways to globalize your curriculum. In an interconnected global world, it is essential that every student is provided with the necessary 21st century skills to excel in the classroom and beyond.
As a leader in intercultural education for more than 65 years, AFS-USA continues to spearhead initiatives that encourage an open dialogue to foster peace and cultural understanding. We believe that as educators, it is essential to use the world as your classroom. Therefore, we have identified three simple steps you can take this year to globalize your curriculum.
Step 1: Incorporate Current Events
Incorporating current events can be one of the most effective ways to
raise awareness on issues all over the world. Utilizing your local
newspaper in your classroom teaching can be a great way to integrate
both local and global themes into your curriculum. Including topics that
students may already be familiar with can be a great way to involve
them in the learning process. Encouraging your students to compare
articles, reach out to reporters, or even submit editorials can empower
them to take action outside of the classroom. To highlight, Education World offers
10 lesson plans that can be easily incorporated as classroom
assignments and allows students to be creative in a learning
environment.Step 2: Include Social Media
As we move towards a more interconnected, globalized world, social media continues to play a significant role in classroom learning. Most recently, students have been participating in hashtag activism, where the internet is utilized as an outlet for social activism. Some of the most recognizable hashtags include #BlackLivesMatter, and #MuslimsAreNotTerrorists. As more students are familiar with social media, incorporating hashtags in your lesson plans can be an effective way to promote awareness on global issues. Furthermore, AFS-USA has designed social activism lesson plans that address the effect of social media on influential change-making initiatives such as the #Saynotoracism and #BringBackOurGirls campaign. Incorporating these themes into your curriculum will not only have a lasting effect on student learning, but will empower them to make positive changes in the world.
Step 3: Invite an Exchange Student into Your Classroom
Inviting an exchange student into your classroom is one of the best ways
to expose students to intercultural learning. Whether you are teaching a
humanities class or STEM education, inviting a student can bring an
interesting perspective to your classroom and begin the conversation on
global learning. Moreover, each year during International Education
Week, AFS students deliver country-specific presentations to local
schools to promote cultural awareness and mutual understanding through
dialogue. To invite an AFS exchange student into your classroom, please
click here.Join our community and let us know how you plan on globalizing your curriculum in 2016! Incorporating global themes in your curriculum can be one of the most effective ways to engage your classroom in an open dialogue about intercultural learning. Whether you teach social studies or STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education, there are a variety of creative ways to globalize your curriculum. In an interconnected global world, it is essential that every student is provided with the necessary 21st century skills to excel in the classroom and beyond.
As a leader in intercultural education for more than 65 years, AFS-USA continues to spearhead initiatives that encourage an open dialogue to foster peace and cultural understanding. We believe that as educators, it is essential to use the world as your classroom. Therefore, we have identified three simple steps you can take this year to globalize your curriculum.
Step 1: Incorporate Current Events
Incorporating current events can be one of the most effective ways to
raise awareness on issues all over the world. Utilizing your local
newspaper in your classroom teaching can be a great way to integrate
both local and global themes into your curriculum. Including topics that
students may already be familiar with can be a great way to involve
them in the learning process. Encouraging your students to compare
articles, reach out to reporters, or even submit editorials can empower
them to take action outside of the classroom. To highlight, Education World offers
10 lesson plans that can be easily incorporated as classroom
assignments and allows students to be creative in a learning
environment.Step 2: Include Social Media
As we move towards a more interconnected, globalized world, social media continues to play a significant role in classroom learning. Most recently, students have been participating in hashtag activism, where the internet is utilized as an outlet for social activism. Some of the most recognizable hashtags include #BlackLivesMatter, and #MuslimsAreNotTerrorists. As more students are familiar with social media, incorporating hashtags in your lesson plans can be an effective way to promote awareness on global issues. Furthermore, AFS-USA has designed social activism lesson plans that address the effect of social media on influential change-making initiatives such as the #Saynotoracism and #BringBackOurGirls campaign. Incorporating these themes into your curriculum will not only have a lasting effect on student learning, but will empower them to make positive changes in the world.
Step 3: Invite an Exchange Student into Your Classroom
Inviting an exchange student into your classroom is one of the best ways
to expose students to intercultural learning. Whether you are teaching a
humanities class or STEM education, inviting a student can bring an
interesting perspective to your classroom and begin the conversation on
global learning. Moreover, each year during International Education
Week, AFS students deliver country-specific presentations to local
schools to promote cultural awareness and mutual understanding through
dialogue. To invite an AFS exchange student into your classroom, please
click here.Join our community and let us know how you plan on globalizing your curriculum in 2016!