Description: Two artifacts included for this standard’s indicator five provide evidence of designing and selecting media to emphasize diversity and multiculturalism.  The first is a Glog created to provide insight into the education system in Austria.  We have a study abroad program and sister campus in Austria that a majority of our students choose to take advantage of.  Education majors have the opportunity to participate in field experience in Austrian schools.  The second artifact is the final project completed for GDIT 726, Education in a Global Society, which is a video reflection of insights gained as we analyzed and compared diverse educational systems.  This presentation includes knowledge gained and changes in perspectives that occurred during the process.  Global competence is necessary for the 21st century classroom, particularly as our access to and communication with global partners becomes a reality. The diversity in education systems and those who participate in these systems is celebrated and valued in this presentation journey.

Reflection:  It was a wonderful experience for me to learn about education across the globe, particularly because I was completely ignorant of global education systems prior to this course.  Education outside of the United States was not even an interest until we starting discussing PISA, curricular issues and educational ideas in other countries.  We researched and considered alternative perspectives and the context surrounding educational innovation. Awareness developed from taking an alternative view.  As we encountered new ideas and innovative designs for educating a population, we allowed our minds to consider alternatives for our own population.  This awareness then brought about both confirmation of our current practices as well as conviction that there may be more than one way to educate a society. Gleaning knowledge of the role of education systems within foreign societies has helped to increase my own understanding of the multicultural community my profession serves.  This new knowledge is shared with my students as they are encouraged to gain awareness of the diversity in culture and needs of the students they will serve.