Globalisation Flashcards
What is globalisation?…
Globalisation is an ongoing process that involves interconnected changes in technology, the economy, politics, culture and migration. As a process it involves the ever increasing integration of these aspects between nations, regions, societies and communities from around the world.
4 key factors in globalisation…
1) Technological changes
2) Economic changes
3) Political globalisation
4) Cultural globalisation
Technological changes…
The first aspect of globalisation is technological changes and in particular, the growth of the internet. Computer technology and the internet, has allowed people to connect from across the world, almost instantaneously. People are now able to connect through video calls, instant messaging, email, and social media, to share ideas, experiences, and individual cultures.
Economic changes…
This includes, the development of the 24-hour economy, as well as, transnational companies, such as Amazon, McDonald’s, and Microsoft. These companies can often have annual revenue that is larger than some middle-income countries. Apple, for example, generates more income than Finland does every year, and many oil companies, such as Shell and Exxon-Mobile, generate revenue several times that, of the poorer countries they extract from. This can mean that they have a huge influence on the government policies of the countries in which they operate.
Political globalisation…
Refers to the amount of political cooperation that exists between different countries. Since the end of World War two, there has been a growth of international and regional mechanisms of government, such as the United Nations, and the European Union. Governments of the member states are increasingly restricted by international directives and laws, stemming from these international bodies, and influencing their domestic policies. With the growth of worldwide media, governments also need to be conscious of how their policies and laws will play on the global stage, as this could lead to sanctions from trading partners, as well as impact future negotiations and deals.
Cultural globalisation…
Movement and sharing of ideas, attitudes, and cultural products across national borders. It refers specifically to the idea that there is now a global culture that is transmitted, and reinforced by the internet, mass media and, the transnational marketing of particular brands. This then shapes the perceptions, aspirations, tastes and everyday activities of people wherever they may live in the world.
Migration is an important aspect of cultural globalisation, and in this sense, the globalisation process has been going on for several centuries, with languages, religious beliefs, and values being spread by military conquest, missionary work, and trade. However, in the last 30 years, the process of cultural globalisation has dramatically intensified due to technological advances, in both transportation and communications technology.
How has globalisation affected the job market?…
The globalisation of the job market has created more competition for jobs, and the need for new skills. This has led to curriculum changes in order to ensure that students are able to compete in an international job market, as well as a domestic one. For example, this has increased the importance of subjects such as, modern foreign languages and computer science. Both of which are part of the English Baccalaureate, highlighting there perceived importance over subjects such as art.
How has globalisation affected technology?…
Google and Apple, have also influenced the curriculum. For example, Apple has created the Apple Educator, and Apple Distinguished Educator programs, for teachers who use Apple products as part of their teaching delivery. In these programs, teachers are trained in using Apple products to support teaching and learning in their classrooms. They have also created awards for schools, which are awarded to schools that show innovation in using technology in education. However, these can only be awarded to schools that routinely use Apple products as part of their teaching and learning, across the school.
How has globalisation affected culture?
The final way that globalisation has influenced the curriculum, is by highlighting how ethnocentric the curriculum was, and leading the way for a more multicultural approach. With migration increasing, and schools becoming more diverse within their student body, it is important that the curriculum reflects this. Recent curriculum changes have increased discussion of the influence of ethnic minority people and groups within, different subjects. For example, the English literature curriculum includes a more diverse range of authors and poets, not just “dead white men”.
Competition…
Competition between schools, for students and staff. At the university level, universities try to attract international students, not only for the prestige, but also for the additional funding international students bring.
It is estimated that over 15 thousand UK teachers, are currently teaching abroad, in international schools. They are drawn by a better work-life balance compared to the UK, as well as better pay, and the cultural experience of teaching in a different country. This means that UK education policies need to change, if they are to compete on the international stage.
Competition internationally…
Schools are also competing with other schools internationally. Global rankings are published by the Organisation of economic cooperation and development, which use the PISA test, to evaluate education systems around the world and compare them.
The PISA test takes place every three years, and measures the scholastic performance of 15 to 16-year-olds, in Maths, science, and reading, on rotation. Schools are selected at random from the participating countries, and then a random selection of 35 students from each responding school will take the test. The results of the test are then used to rank the participating countries.
This can impact policy, as policymakers may look at the countries at the top, to see what they are doing, and try to replicate that in their own countries in order to go up the rankings. It might also be used as a focus for education reform, if a country should fall in the rankings.
Safeguarding…
Globalisation has increased the number of safeguarding issues that schools face. The technological developments created by globalisation, mean that schools now need to be aware of risks linked to the internet and social media use, such as cyber-bullying and grooming by online predators.
Additionally, there are increased risks of the radicalisation of vulnerable students by extremist groups through social media, that schools need to be on the lookout for, as part of the prevent strategy.
Hyper-globalist views…
Ohmae and the hyper-globalist view, believes that globalisation has had a positive impact on the education system. They see globalisation as leading to students seeing themselves as global citizens, which in turn is creating greater tolerance, and respect for differences in culture, and religion.
They also believe that technological developments, have given students greater access to information, leading to higher educational achievement and more critical thinking.
Marxists…
The Marxists believe that globalisation has led to the widening of the gap, between the rich and poor in education. They believe that the opportunities that globalisation provides for students are really only there for the wealthy. For example, international trips and exchanges, which the working class cannot afford.
Joel Spring, also points out the educational agenda is being set by the global corporations, which is creating a digital divide between students who have access to technology, and those that don’t.
He also states that this is disempowering teachers, whose expertise are being overlooked in favour of these global corporations, who are looking to sell products to schools. An example of this could be the introduction of interactive whiteboards.
Neoliberals…
The neoliberal view believes that globalisation has had a positive impact on education. They believe that globalisation has created more opportunities, for private schools and universities to expand both nationally and internationally, creating more opportunities for students. However , they disagree with the Marxist view, regarding the role of global corporations in education, and see this as a good move, as it can lead to a reduction in the role of the government in education, and a reduction in the funding provided by the government, all of which will lead to greater competition between schools, and therefore, raise educational standards.
