Challenging Perspectives Teaching Globalisation and Diversity in the Knowledge Society Rapporteur: Máirín Wilson

Congratulations!!! Great & wonderful perspectives represented  Those attending  Those presenting  Approaches to the various themes All converging on teaching globalisation and diversity in the knowledge society. Can confirm that the conference theme was realised.

The elephant ?

What we know…… At the end of this conference we know that there is general agreement that teaching globalisation and diversity is important. We agree that we live in a knowledge society and acknowledge that this implies a huge complexity both in teaching… and beyond that into life itself! The conference experience confirms that we have all the corners and the edge pieces of the jigsaw…. But it would seem that we are unclear just yet as to what the complete picture might look like…..

Education: We are in a College of Education…dedicated to education that is inclusive, person centred and respectful. Power of education to give us a particular perspective. A developmental framework like  Awareness ….learning …..action. What IS the current agenda? Reminded that young people translate learning into their own, personalised, cultural framework and identity around the core issue of belonging In Initial Teacher Education (ITE)- the duty to prepare students and the reality of Irish classrooms was a big consideration in some sessions.

Big Themes: Such as: Education – the Irish experience Knowing….. identity & belonging Media- in all its forms… Global perspectives…..

Different lenses: in The (national) curriculum Print, Photo and Film Using IT in all its forms The classroom The 21 st Century World

Conference themes: KEY FOCUS Complexity of…. Concepts & isms Perspective (Unpacking) Dialogue Story telling (Opening windows) Multiple ways of engaging BalanceDiversity Language around diversity Knowledge society

Needs identified: - Bridging the IT generation gap Clarifying the concepts further Greater perspective consciousness Finding the space for the dialogue to happen

Terminology: Integration  Assimilation….  Multiculturalism….  Interculturalism Development Diversity Knowledge Society Technology

Key arenas – The knowledge society A framework for the conference Increasingly small world and the duty to equip students with the skills and knowledge to access that world Information technology – a new learning tool? Moving from the notion of knowledge as an object to the idea of knowledge as a process.

The Print Media: Power of the media to present events, people and even cultural groups in a particular way Media literacy : Need to develop students as critical media users ‘Thinking’ Mavens!

A Political issue: All …’isms’ needing the backing of government policy, programmes and funding; Different voices and perspectives are a key part of the political dialogue that needs to occur.

Some Mis-conceptions: That learning about issues, engaging in active learning methodologies will of itself necessarily develop global citizens That the development education and intercultural education are two halves of the one whole That there is only one right answer That there are lots of right answers That old is bad and new is good

Some quotes… Important task for educators is to guide pupils to the truth. Chinedu Change is a constant in society…. We need a space to negotiate diversity. Kensika & others Learning is at the heart of the framework and It’s not an instrument for social change. Douglas Building bridges instead of minding the gap! Daithí

Some quotes… What constitutes high value and low value resources in teaching methodologies? Son Gyoh Seán & Nell …this lack of education contributes at times to racism and to the alienation of children. Ronan Children's’ lives in a globalised society can be linked to language learning and literacy development in the primary classroom. Unknown territory Matthias

Some quotes… We need to let education happen. Daithí We know what we perceive, we don’t know what we don’t perceive. So there is no way we can know what we don’t perceive. Lizzie There is an intersection of education for development with media literacy. Jerry Save the World DAY! Douglas

Some quotes… We require different competencies than we did 20 years ago as the world has become increasingly complex. Douglas & others We must weave technology into the curriculum so that it disappears. Daithí The interactive whiteboard can bring the global visually into the classroom It is a dual iceberg model Barbara Anna & Deirdre

Some quotes… I am that Patrick! Anne You visit me and you are an honoured guest. I visit you and I am a resource. Douglas Thank you for that Thomas! Everyone! I actually did what I said in the abstract ! Brian

And finally… Chinedu, Anne ( & Obama) Yes we can!