Preparing our Youth to Engage the World: Chapter 1, Q1-3

I. From your perspective, in what ways are the societal and environmental

transformations here described affecting your students’ lives today? How will they

be affected in the future?

“Globalization, the accelerating traffic of goods, ideas, people, and capital around the world,

has leveled the playing field for workers all over.” This quote from page one exemplifies that with the increase in the internet market and selling/buying of goods online, today’s students are competing in a global business market. The idea that one will go to school, college, get a job and live successfully is not a guarantee. Today’s markets are globally competitive so students have to know that there are more people competing for their jobs here in the US. Also, they need to realize that someone from another country can run your company and be your employer. This was not the realization of students 30 years ago. People from other countries can take jobs in America as well. With the increase in technology, many standard, minimum wage jobs are also being taken away. Gas station attendants, for example, are almost non existent these days as they are run by credit card machines built into the gas pump station. So not only are college prep jobs at risk for our students, but so are jobs that don’t require higher education. This is a threatening thought.

II. In your opinion, what are the key reasons for educating for global competence?

What are the barriers such an education might confront?

Being aware of the world’s issues and understanding other cultures are reasons to educate global competence. If we want students to communicate, collaborate and compete with students from other countries we need to make sure they are aware of what’s happening in those countries and how their world’s function. Otherwise, we won’t be considered competitive. Because of the change in climate of the earth over the past few decades, there is an increase in jobs, studies, and industries that would be beneficial to know about if one was a student in today’s world. Energy efficiency, according to the chapter, is a big focus and increasing industry in today’s world. Teaching global competence is only going to benefit our students as it would make them aware of these issues and could focus on a solution.

III. In your current opinion, what distinguishes a high- from a low-quality education for

global competence?

Based on the reading, I think low-quality education for global competence would include making students aware of the issues in today’s world. A high-quality global competence would focus on finding solutions and “investigating” the issues. Being aware is one thing, but to be able to take an issue, research it, and find solutions is more beneficial to the job market and workplace. The student that is “hireable” is the one who can offer solutions, not the one who is simply aware.