Global Educators’ Personal Attribution of a Global Perspective

Authors

  • Kenneth Thomas Carano Western Oregon University

Keywords:

global education, global perspectives, social studies, teacher education

Abstract

This case study investigated to what self-identifying global educators attributed the development of their global perspective and how it influenced curricular decision-making. Analysis resulted in 7 themes identified by the participants as being attributed to the development of a global perspective: (a) family, (b) exposure to diversity, (c) minority status, (d) global education courses, (e) international travel, (f) having a mentor, and (g) professional service. Additionally, the themes were perceived to influence curricular decision-making by providing strategies and resources. The participants’ perspectives have implications on social studies teacher education programs and future research. These implications include the types of instructional methods, themes, and global dimensions that should be addressed in teacher education programs. Future research should focus on issues underlying the nature of global education courses being taught in social studies teacher education programs, the teaching methods being used by graduates of those programs, and further analysis on emerging themes perceived to be critical in developing a global perspective.  

Author Biography

Kenneth Thomas Carano, Western Oregon University

I am a returned Peace Corps volunteer who spent two years, with my wife, teaching elementary students and running an after-school program in Suriname, South America. In fall 2011 I joined Western Oregon University as assistant professor in the Division of Teacher Education with an emphasis in social studies education. My Ph.D. is in curriculum and instruction from University of South Florida. Prior to coming to WOU, I taught high school social studies for nine years in Sarasota County, Florida. Additionally, I spent five years as adjunct instructor at University of South Florida teaching social studies methods courses. My work has been published in journals such as Social Education, The Social Studies and The Social Studies Review, and two of my anthologies of life in Suriname were published in the novel Volunteer Tales. I have presented internationally and nationwide at conferences such as NCSS, OCSS, SITE, PDK Global Education Summit and the AERA. My research interests are global perspectives in teacher education programs and preparing students to be effective citizens in a world that is becoming increasingly interconnected.

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Published

2013-06-09

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Section

Articles