What Makes Cambridge Global Perspective An Excellent Subject For Kids

am always in the lookout to introduce learning that will be relevant to kids, that is how I got interested in the subject Global Perspective by Cambridge. The subject is aimed at helping kids the necessary skills that they need by developing perspectives to understand themselves ad the world they live in.

One of the things that I love about this subject is that it helps kids to understand the interconnectedness of the world we live in. It also teaches them how to think critically about global issues and be more aware of their own impact on the world.

Another thing I love about this subject is that it helps kids to develop a sense of empathy for others. It is so important to me that my students learn to see things from other people's perspectives and to have compassion for those who are different from them.

This subject has definitely helped me to create a more aware and compassionate classroom environment. I am so grateful to have found this subject and I am sure that it will continue to be a valuable resource for my students.

My experience of teaching Global Perspective in schools -

helped me to see the value of skill development in kids. 

I get very excited about the idea of introducing the subject of global perspective to every kid, I have seen how kids got excited when I was discussing how Coffee growers in Ghana are not paid well, or how refugee children suffer due to displacing childhood.

We might not be able to solve a lot of problems that are in the world but being aware can change our perspective towards them.

Why we should introduce the subject Global perspective to students

When I was in school, I was not very aware of the happenings around the world. And I feel that it is very important to create awareness among kids about global problems and also give them hope that they can be the change.

Awareness leads to knowledge and knowledge gives us the power to act. We need to empower the future generation with the ability to think critically and have a global perspective. We need to prepare them for the challenges of tomorrow by teaching them about the realities of today.

Kids these days are very lucky because they have access to a lot of information and resources. But we need to make sure that they are using this information wisely and not just blindly following what they see or read.

We need to encourage them to question everything and to think for themselves. Only then will they be able to truly understand the world around them and make a difference in it.

One of the key benefits of teaching the subject is that it helps students to develop an understanding of different cultures.

It also allows them to see how their own culture fits into the larger world. Through this understanding, students can begin to appreciate the value of cultural diversity and learn to respect other cultures.

Additionally, students can become more aware of current events and global issues. By understanding these issues, students can develop a greater sense of responsibility for the world around them.

Why makes Global Perspective so relevant?

What excites me is that the subject can be linked with the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and help in creating more awareness about the same. When students are taught about different cultures, they can develop an understanding of how to live sustainably. As they learn about environmental issues and ways to conserve resources, they can begin to see the impact their daily choices have on the planet.

Additionally, by understanding the interconnectedness of all people and cultures, students can develop a sense of global citizenship. As they learn to respect and value the diverse cultures of the world, they can begin to work together to solve global challenges.

Cambridge Global Perspective

Cambridge Global Perspective is designed for students aged 5 to 19 years, scaffolding students to progress smoothly as they transition from one stage to another.

The five key pillars of a subject include

1. Research- The Cambridge Global Perspective encourages students to think critically, solve problems and make decisions using research-based evidence.
2. analysis- Students will develop essential skills in analysis, such as identifying different points of view and evaluating arguments.
3. evaluation- After analyzing and researching, students will learn how to make balanced judgments and decisions.
4. reflection- Throughout the course, students will be encouraged to reflect on their learning and think about how they can apply it to real-world situations.
5. collaboration - students will learn to work effectively in teams, share ideas and perspectives, and reach consensus. Each of these pillars is essential in developing a global perspective.
6. communication- Students will learn to communicate effectively in a variety of ways, including writing, speaking, and using digital media

By encouraging students to think critically and use evidence-based research, we are teaching them how to make informed decisions.

By teaching them how to analyze different points of view, we are helping them to develop empathy and understanding for others. And by teaching them how to work collaboratively, we are preparing them to be responsible global citizens.

The topics are built around relevant topics that affect us in a local, national and global context to give students a 360-degree awareness.

Global Perspective is planned to keep in mind the age and abilities of students of different ages. Younger students will likely need more concrete examples and activities to help them grasp the concepts.

The curriculum is flexible and easily adaptable, making it easy to integrate into any classroom. It also offers a wide range of support materials, including teacher’s guides, student books, and online resources.

It can be really helpful for educators and parents if they can see the value in learning the subject by knowing its relevance in today’s society.

Cambridge Global perspective is categorized into

Cambridge Primary and Secondary 

Six challenges are 6 hours long. The challenges include a range of activities and skills. All the materials for each challenge are inclusive of the Cambridge curriculum. The challenges can be completed in a year, the topics can be integrated with other topics.

Topics for Cambridge's primary Global Perspectives include:

• Keeping healthy
• Moving to a new country
• Understanding belief
• Keeping the peace
• People - young and old
• Reduce, reuse, recycle
• Rich and poor
• In the world of work
• Looking after planet Earth
• Obeying the law
• The right to learn
• Sport and leisure
• Values and beliefs
• Using energy
• Families
• Water, food, and farming
• Worldwide companies
• Living and working together
• Working with other countries
• Moving goods and people
• Keeping safe
• Improving communication
• Computers and technology

Topics for Cambridge secondary Global Perspectives include:

• Disease and health
• Migration
• Belief systems
• Conflict and peace
• Demographic change
• Sustainability
• Poverty and inequality
• Employment
• Biodiversity and ecosystem loss
• Law and criminality
• Education for all
• Sport and recreation
• Tradition, culture, and identity
• Fuel and energyFamilyWater,
• food and agriculture
• Globalization
• Changing communities
• Trade and aid
• Transport and infrastructure
• Humans and other species
• Human rights
• Language and communication
• Digital world

Cambridge IGCSE Global Perspectives is divided into three sections like

The topics are as follows.

Component 1 Written Examination

The written examination consists of compulsory, structured questions based on sources provided with the examination paper.

• Demographic change • Education for all • Employment • Fuel and energy • Globalisation • Law and criminality • Migration • Transport systems

Component 2 Individual Report

Students are required to create reports with the guidance of their teachers from one of the topics listed and devise a global research question. The report must be between 1500 and 2000 words. 

• Belief systems • Biodiversity and ecosystem loss • Changing communities • Digital world • Family • Humans and other species • Sustainable living • Trade and aid

Component 3 Team Project

Component 3 includes both a Team element and a Reflective paper on the topic that the team chooses to work on.

• Conflict and peace • Disease and health • Human rights • Language and communication • Poverty and inequality • Sport and recreation • Tradition, culture, and identity • Water, food, and agriculture

Cambridge AS/A level Global Perspectives

• Alternatives to oil
• Architectural priorities
• Artificial Intelligence Arts in an international context
• Biodiversity
• Changing national identities
• Climate change
• Cultural heritage
• Endangered cultures
• Ethical foreign policies
• Ethics and economics of food
• Gender issues
• Genetic engineering
• Global economic activity
• Impact of the internet
• Industrial pollution
• International law
• International sport
• Medical ethics and priorities
• Migration and work
• Political systems
• Religious-secular divide
• Rise of global superpowers
• Standard of living/quality of life
• Sustainable futures
• Technology and lifestyles
• Tourism
• Transnational organisations (e.g. UN, EU, NATO)
• Transport Urbanisation

Themes

• Technology
• Culture
• Environment
• Ethics
• Economics
• Politics
• Science

The best of the subject is that it is cross-curricular and skill-based which includes teamwork, presentations, projects, and working with other learners around the world.

Written Examination- Written examination consisting of compulsory, structured questions based on sources provided with the examination paper.

Essay- Students explore different perspectives on issues of global significance arising from their studies during the course and write an essay.

Team Project- Students are required to work in teams to identify a local problem that has global relevance. Individual team members research the issue and suggest solutions to the problem based on their research findings. This includes Presentation and a reflective paper.

Cambridge Research Report.- Students devise and develop a research question. This is a report based on independent personal research. requirement- 5000 words

Educators' role in Teaching Global Perspective

Given that the subject is so diverse no teacher can know about all the topics included. The good news is teachers need not be an expert on any of these topics, the idea of the subject is to help kids develop the skills. The skills that are developed during the course help the learner not just in academics but also in real life.

The role of the educators is to help guide the students in their journey of discovery, to facilitate and not to provide answers.

To achieve this, educators need to:

Encourage curiosity and a questioning attitude

Provide opportunities for students to explore and discover

Foster a spirit of collaboration and teamwork

Encourage creativity and critical thinking

Promote global citizenship

Help students develop research skills

Teaching global perspectives is not about indoctrinating students with a particular point of view, but rather about helping them develop the skills they need to become informed and responsible global citizens.

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