Globalization

Globalization
Globalization is both a process and a theory. The internet has made our world a little smaller. We can now do things with ease that previous generations only dreamed about. It was amazing in the 20th century that one could mail a letter and within a week or two it would arrive at its destination half way around the globe. It was equally awesome that one could pick up a phone and call relatives in another part of the world.

Now in the 21st century, we can be connected with email and send our message and get a response within minutes. There are also instant messaging opportunities, chat rooms an online live, synchronous classrooms like elluminate.

That means if you are a student and you are researching southern France, you could actually contact students, teachers, museum administrators directly in southern France. More primary research and current research is available through the world wide web.

Students can have keypals in other countries. Students can set up video cameras and American students could could with a regular classroom in China. Language is a barrier for many Americans. Students can converse, but we are mostly relying on other nations to speak English. Americans, albeit the richest country in the world, spends little in time and resources to education our public in world languages. As we move toward a codependent and global society, we cannot rely on everyone else to speak our English.

Globalization has many benefits, which include bringing education to third world countries and bringing education to children in the deserts of Australia who otherwise would have to travel most of day's time to reach a brick and mortar type school. Globalization also offers University courses through online learning around the globe.

Students who otherwise could not attend school or university will have the opportunity through online learning if they connect to the internet.

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Education in globalization is affected by globalization itself. The economics, politics and culture of our global state all are realigning the way students will learn.

The world we live in has transformed from an industrialized society to an information and digital society. We have moved from a Fordist to a Post-Fordist workplace. There is a rise in internationalized advertising and consumption patterns. There is a reduction in free flow of goods, workers and investments across national borders. Burbules, Torres (2000).

Education around the world, not just in the United States, is being re-evaluated and scrutinized to reflect the best learning processes for students in this post industrialized age.

How has our curriculum changed due to Globalization? Students can now be better connected or even interconnected with others around the world. Our education is not isolationist. Rather, education and curriculum are about interdependence of other students, teachers around the world and institutions.

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