Globalization and educational change

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Globalization and educational change

• Pasi Sahlberg
• University of Oulu
• February, 2008

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Think

• How globalization affects education reforms?

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Think
How globalization affects education reforms?

• What are the common features in ongoing education
  reforms around the world?
• What schools should do to respond effectively to
  future-making?

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Globalization and education reforms

• Focus on generic competencies and universal
  knowledge (mathematics/science/literacy)
• Harmonization of structures and qualifications
• New educational opportunities (mobility)
• Increased interaction and competition
• Educational policy borrowing and lending due to
  emerged global education reform movement

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Global education reform movement
Description
Reform policy
Impact on teaching
Adopted from Hargreaves, A. et al, 2001. Learning
to Change. San Francisco Jossey Bass.
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Paradox of educational change
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Paradox of educational change
It aint what you dont know that gets you into
trouble.
It is what you know for sure that just aint so.
- Mark Twain
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Globalization and educational change
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What to focus on?

• Rethink the purpose of school
• Humanity Cultivate the habits of mind
• Community Expand interpersonal skills
• Responsibility Enhance will and skills to learn
  and lead the change

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Fear-free school

• Productive learning can only be created and
  maintained in places that are close to fear-free.
  Negative anxiety and fear downshift the mind,
  kill creativity and prevent risk-taking.
• This applies to both teachers
  and students.

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Think about climate change
Plant a tree!