|
|
What is the Global Dimension?
|
|
What is the Global Dimension? |
‘The Global Dimension is educational activity, integrated across the curriculum and school, that enables pupils to engage with global issues, experience and value diversity, understand how their choices impact upon the lives of others and act wisely and fairly for a sustainable global future.’ (EEDEN 2006)
Why the Global Dimension?
Over three – quarters of pupils think it is important that schools help them understand what people can do to make the world a better place (78%). (Ipsos MORI research 2008 for DEA)
The major challenges and opportunities for our society are global ones. In a fast changing, globalised world, education needs to help people understand the wider world around them. We need to recognise and understand global connections between, for example, poverty, climate change and our own lives.
Embedding the global dimension in learning helps pupils to become articulate, responsible, critical thinkers. They engage with global issues and experience and value diversity. This has far reaching benefits for pupils’ motivation to learn, their behaviour and their participation in the world around them. They understand how their choices impact upon the lives of others and can act wisely and fairly for a sustainable global future.
The vast majority of teachers in England see global learning as an important aspect of teaching in schools: 94% feel that schools should prepare pupils to deal with a fast-changing and globalised world. However, only 58% believe the current school system actually does this (Ipsos MORI 2008 for DEA).
How does the Global Dimension fit into the curriculum?
The curriculum aims to “enable all young people to become responsible citizens who make a positive contribution to society” (QCA 2008).
The DfES states that “all who live in a global society need an understanding of eight key global concepts” to “equip our children, young people and adults for life in a global society and work in a global economy.”
The Global Dimension enables schools to address Community Cohesion, Sustainable Schools, Personal Learning and Thinking Skills, and enhances Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning. Every Child Matters globally!
The global dimension is an exemplar of effective cross curricular teaching. ‘The Global Dimension and Sustainable Development’ is a whole curriculum dimension in the secondary curriculum and links closely to the other six whole curriculum dimensions.
The key Global Dimension advisory document for schools from the DfES is here.
A QCA curriculum planning guide for schools with some excellent case studies is here
With established key concepts and appropriate teaching methods the Global Dimension, provides a sound framework for whole school improvement. Watch a 15 minute Teachers TV video on the Global Dimension here.
For more on putting the Global Dimension into practice see this document from Global Thinking.
For more on why Local Authorities are supporting the Global Dimension in the curriculum see this document from Global Thinking.
|
|
|
2008-2013 Global Thinking Strategy |
|
Download the current strategy to Enable Effective Support for the Global Dimension in the East of England
|
|
Global Dimension Resources and Links |
|
View our selection of recommended resources to support the Global Dimension in education.
Find out more... |
|
Sign up for our termly e-noticeboard |
|
Stay informed about training events, funding opportunities and examples of good practice for the Global Dimension in education.
Click here to sign up... |
|
