The Global Education Movement and Achievable Reforms in the Pre-Service Education of Teachers.

Overview & Synopsis

The importance of the current movement for global education in the elementary and secondary schools, and in higher education, has been indicated by the convening of the first national conference on global education, held at Easton, Maryland, in May 1982. During this conference, leaders in the field of global education presented issues and themes that were comprehensive and wide-ranging. This conference raised new questions about the meaning of global eductaion and extended the networks of those seeking to find appropriate answers. Activities and presentations at the conference concerned: (1) materials and technologies for teaching; (2) studies of cross-cultural settings and training programs; (3) studies of different beliefs about issues of world order; (4) preservice teacher education and global education; (5) curriculum innovation and institution building; (6) professional support groups; and (7) international participation in planning and implementing programs in global education. The current optimism for global teacher education calls for the examination of previous efforts. Careful study of the multicultural teacher education movement and actual resulting changes in teacher outlooks and skills may reveal similar problems. The peace education movement presents another opportunity and challenge to teacher educators. A knowledge of interdependence, and teaching skills in this area, constitute essential knowledge for teachers. (CJ)