Signature Pedagogies in Global Education

Examining how exemplary teachers design signature learning experiences

IN: Assessment, Evaluation & Documentation - Civic Engagement - Cognition, Thinking & Understanding - Disciplinary & Interdisciplinary Studies - Global & Cultural Understanding - Learning Environments

Overview

Despite widespread consensus on the importance of fostering global competence in young people today, as well as abundant recommendations for productive pedagogical directions that support such efforts, little is known about how exactly instruction like cooperative learning, interdisciplinary themes, community-based learning and portfolio assessment, maximize students’ global competence.

In this study, we examine how exemplary teachers design signature learning experiences based on their understanding of (a) the world and why certain topics matter over others; (b) their disciplines and their standards in global terms; (c) the specific learning challenges that students confront when learning about the world; and (d) effective pedagogy. Our team is conceptualizing a signature pedagogies framework for global education that will prepare future teachers to teach about the world.

Our project spans across grades and disciplines. We are currently working on a study of exemplary high school teachers.