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What Works in Schools Is Real Work

The best type of curriculum for preparing students for the workforce is one that focuses on real-world problem-solving. It sounds simple, but for the first time, we have clearly established a link between students learning 21st century skills and future work success. The results of a Gallup/Microsoft Partners in Learning/Pearson Foundation study show that young […]

Globally Competent Workforce: Why We Need One

I just returned from Texas where I presented at the Career Clusters Institute on the global nature of today’s workforce. While the goal of the session was to provide strategies for teaching career and technical education (CTE) in a global manner, our lively discussion revealed that many in the field still need to make the […]

The Global Roots of the Common Core

The education system of the United States was built, in part, by utilizing the best ideas from abroad, mainly from Germany and Scotland. But after achieving the leading education system in the world, and the first country to achieve mass secondary education, and the first to promote higher education broadly, we stopped looking abroad for […]

Recognize Patterns: Advice for Chinese Language Classrooms

I’ve visited many language programs across the country in recent years, and have—for better or for worse—instinctively divided them into two categories. The first are programs that leave me with the distinct impression that they are fundamentally classes that happen in a room in a school building; there’s not a lot of dynamism, authentic or […]

Where World Languages and the Common Core Intersect

“I have two long antennae,” the student at the front of the class said, in Chinese. “Are you a snail?” asked another student, also in Chinese. “No! I have three body parts and six thin legs.” “An ant?” quipped another. “No, I have two colorful wings.” “A butterfly!” the class shouted. This is an example […]

Global Afterschool Activities: Steps to Success

As the new school year starts and afterschool programs are ramping up, here are some ways to create afterschool activities that incorporates global issues. There are several core elements to consider and no matter what topic or age group, think about each step carefully. Planning: Steps to Success 
Plan your globally focused activity ahead of […]

Global Technology Resources for Elementary Students

Easy access to multiple technologies makes this a genuinely exciting time to begin the process of going global at any school. In fact, one of the fastest and most effective ways to incorporate a global approach is through the use of digital technologies. Computers, interactive software, video conferencing, games, online courses, blogs, educational television, video […]