Globalisation and Education

What is globalisation?

The increased interconnectedness between people and nation states. Includes technological, economic and cultural interconnectedness

What is migration?

The movement of people from one place to another. Either within a country or between countries

What are PISA tests?

The Programme for International Student Assessment is worldwide study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in member and non-member nations intended to evaluate educational systems by measuring 15 year old school pupils’ scholastic performance on mathematics, science and reading

What are ‘PREVENT policies’?

PREVENT is about safeguarding and supporting those vulnerable to radicalisation. Prevent is 1 of the 4 elements of CONTEST, the governments counter-terrorism strategy. It aims to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism

What are the 5 features of globalisation?

• Technological development

• Economic changes

• Political changes

• Cultural changes

• Migration

Feature of globalisation → Technological development

New technologies have made it easier to connect over long distances. It has created a time-space compression

Feature of globalisation → Economic changes

Economic activity now takes place on a global scale in a 24 hour system. The growth of transnational companies and an electronic economy

Feature of globalisation → Political changes

Globalisation has undermined the power of the nation states. We now live in a borderless world (Ohmae). In some cases transnational companies have more power than governments

Feature of globalisation → Cultural changes

We now live in a global culture created by mass media and the internet that has led to the westernisation

Feature of globalisation → Migration

People are moving more freely within and between countries for economic and personal reasons

What is the Hyper Globalist view of globalisation and education?

Ohmae:

• Globalisation is positive for education as it helps to create global citizens who are tolerant and open minded

• Access to global information and resources can raise educational standards and achievement → more cultural awareness, digital learning and educational opportunities (especially for those with access to technology)

What is the Marxist view of globalisation and education?

• Globalisation benefits the wealthy and powerful

• Only elite students truly benefit from international opportunities like private schools, prestigious opportunities and study abroad

• Spring: big corporations are shaping education (eg tech companies) which leads to a digital divide (rich vs poor access) and the disempowerment of teachers (less control over what and how they teach)

• Education reinforces global inequalities and supports capitalist interests

What is the neoliberal view of globalisation and education?

• Globalisation encourages privatisation and competition in education

• Private schools and universities can expand globally, offering choices to students

• Governments can reduce their role and funding, letting the market decide what education looks like

• Education becomes a commodity, something to be bought and sold, not a public good

What is the New Fordist view on globalisation and education?

• Globalisation creates more competition in the job market

• Governments must invest more in education to develop a skilled and flexible workforce

• Focus should be on practical skills and competences rather than just academic knowledge

• Education must prepare students for the fast changing global economy

Globalisation impact → Increased competition for jobs

• Global job markets are more competitive, with employers wanting skilled, adaptable workers

• Educational impact → schools adapt their curriculum to meet new demands eg more focus on STEM, computer science, coding and global awareness

Globalisation impact → Influence of global ICT companies

• Companies like Apple, Google and Microsoft now shape parts of the curriculum by creating digital tools, platforms (eg Google Classroom) and even lesson content

• Educational impact → education becomes more technology driven and standardised, but also raises concerns over corporate influence and data privacy

Globalisation impact → Increased multiculturalism in schools

• Due to migration and global movement, classrooms are more diverse

• Educational impact → schools are encouraged to move away from an ethnocentric curriculum and include a wider range of cultures, histories and perspectives

Globalisation impact → Competition between schools and universities

• Schools and universities now compete globally to attract students (including international ones)

• Educational impact → more marketing, branding and focus on performance data and outcomes. May widen the gap between elite and under-resourced schools

Globalisation impact → Use of global rankings

• Systems like PISA rankings are used to compare education systems worldwide

• Educational impact → pressures governments and schools to raise standards, but can lead to teaching to the test and neglect of creative content

Globalisation impact → Increased risks and safeguarding concerns

• Global connectivity brings new safeguarding issues such as cyberbullying, online grooming, exposure to radical/extremist content etc

• Educational impact → schools must implement policies like PREVENT and focus more on digital literacy and online safety