The issue of Globalization in Education...

In the Introduction of the Brown and Saltman textbook, the interesting topic comes about of Globalization when it comes to the education of middle school students. This is an interesting topic to say the least, because at first glance it may not be overly obvious that the issue of Globalization plays a role in how students are educated. However the connections are at points quite obvious in that the function of a public school system is to prepare workers to meet demands of work within our society. Global forms of education are described as being essential to the future of society as they can be used as a medium to present core values and essential goals such as democracy, freedom and equality to a new generation, in the hope that society might be improved worldwide.

         I feel that this is a very important issue in today’s educational framework, as war, prejudice and violence continue to be everyday realities throughout the world, not just in conflict zones. Global factors in education can be used to present new ideas to students that they might not repeat our own errors, and could move to better society by getting involved, and being up to date on current issues as well as the core subjects such as Science and Math. However this overt control over the educational system worldwide may in fact be used incorrectly for the wrong reasons, such as a means to indoctrinate the masses with the rhetoric of a nation, from which they are unable to ask questions as to why things are out of fear, thus making the issue also problematic.

The overall question is, to what degree should outside influences be allowed to have control over our educational system, and how much is required to ensure an equal and proper education for all students? Further, have the proper adaptations to curriculum been made in light of the current information age as our world “contracts” due to technology and communication allowing today’s students even greater access to global information, which can be incorporated into teaching methods.