Globalisation and education

Question 1

Held - definition of globalisation

Answer 1

David Held et al. (1999) defines globalisation as the widening, deepening and speeding up of worldwide interconnectedness in all aspects of life, from the cultural to the criminal, the financial to the spiritual.

Question 2

Ohmae - hyperglobalist

Answer 2

Ohmae and the hyperglobalist 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.

Question 3

Spring - educational agenda

Answer 3

Joel Spring 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.

Question 4

McLuhan - global village

Answer 4

McLuhan wrote about the global village. The idea that through global communications we have neighbours all around the world. We no longer always need the filter or gatekeeper of a professional media production to hear about what’s happening on the other side of the world: through new media we can hear it instantly and from the source.