Monday, August 26, 2013

The readings presented some very valid and timely points.  Though I found the Reimer reading to be informative, I also found it to be a bit shortsighted and even elitist at times.  I particularly struggled with statements like "I see no reason to expect cosmopolistism from local communities," (p 193).  This deeply undercuts his argument that a global view is important in all classrooms, not just those of schools or districts in places fortunate enough to have enough resources to be able to look beyond the bare minimum and incorporate such forward ideas as these.  This is also reflected in his statements about the important of global service projects.  I strongly agree - but he present sentiment that reflects that those are avenues for education only open to the most economically viable of us all, though there is arguably a benefit of cultural exchange and opportunity for education to both sides.  I did, however, think he made a strong point in presenting the importance of thinking ahead - business and technology are increasingly global exchanges, and it behooves all of us to think about and educate our students using these global models (ie.  where does that iPhone in your pocket really come from? etc.).  


I found myself a little more in accordance with the Asia Society readings, particularly in the preface.  I thought Howard Gardner perfectly stated a boiled down version of what all these readings were working towards presenting when he says "What is needed more than ever is a laser-like focus on the kinds of human beings that we are raising and the kinds of societies—indeed, in a global era, the kind of world society—that we are fashioning."

Steph
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Stephanie Donohue
Buckingham, Browne & Nichols
Upper School Librarian
80 Gerry's Landing Road
Cambridge, MA 02138

Phone: (617) 800-2150
Email: sdonohue@bbns.org

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