North West Global Education Network
What is the Global Dimension?
The term "The Global Dimension" is drawn from 'Developing a Global Dimension in the School Curriculum' - a guidance document recently updated and published by QCA, DfES, DFID, et al (2005). Click here to download a PDF version (557kb). You can request a printed copy through the DEA website, or from your local DEC.
Our definition is: "A global dimension in formal sector education (5-18) aims to increase young people's understanding of their mutual dependence, development issues and the need for international development, so that they can understand the key global considerations that will shape their lives. This aim is to be achieved through introducing young people to knowledge, skills and values related to the eight key concepts identified in 'Developing a Global Dimension in the School Curriculum'. These are: citizenship, conflict resolution, diversity, human rights and responsibilities, interdependence, social justice, sustainable development, values and perceptions. These concepts should be explored from all levels, from the personal and local through to the international and global."
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8 Key Concepts (Word Document)
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One critical point is that "The Global Dimension" is not just an academic subject, but also leads to a change in behaviour, values and attitudes in students - and often also in teachers! By it's nature, it involves an active and participatory methodology and so it develops critical thinking skills, creative thinking skills and skills in discussion, problem solving and cooperation. Young people begin to understand the connections between their actions and the effects on their own enironments - physical, social and economic - both locally and globally. They get a picture of their values and apply this practically. Ideally the ideas of the Global Dimension extend across all aspects of school life, and the ethos of the school, with teachers, governers, classroom assistants and so on learning and acting on what they have learnt. A school can for example have an active policy on energy consumption, or become a fair trade school, or the participation by pupils in school decision making, gradually increasing their freedom and responsibility for their own learning as they get older.
The aims of the Global Dimension fit well with other educational aims. Because it is stimulating and engages pupils and teachers, it also helps raise achievement, and there is some evidence that it helps with improving standards, in literacy and numeracy for example. It reflects the multicultural and diverse nature of our society and by starting from the experiences of the students and the context in which they live it gives a firm base to motivating them to learn. Global issues are a part of everyone's lives and the Global Dimension places the school curriculum in this context.
Some helpful websites on the global dimension in education (see Links section for more!):
www.leedsdec.org.uk/global_dimension.htm
