Global News draws on the process and some of the activity ideas of the successful Get Global! initiative [see right-hand box].
Based on the student led enquiry approach adopted by Get Global! each activity follows a similar process and contains certain key elements:
- Raising an issue – students suggest/select an issue as a starting point, based on what is currently topical or what interests them. Activities to help students in reaching a consensus are provided through this site and are based on ideas contained in Get Global!
- Questioning and discussion – students explore what they already know or perceive about the issue and try to identify how these assumptions and perceptions have been arrived at. They begin to critically examine what needs to be found out and learnt in order to increase their understanding of the issue.
- Researching (group work) – using the links provided on the Global News website students find out new information and learn about a range of views.
- Disseminating – following their research students share news, information and opinions with others.
- Positive action – students reflect on what they have learnt and what practical positive steps could be taken as a result of the learning. This action, its impacts and its effectiveness should be reflected on in the future.
This student led approach aims to enable students to take ownership of the whole investigation process and consider actions for positive change.
Get Global!
Get Global! is a guide for teachers of 11-16 year olds on how to support active global citizenship. It provides a structure for students to manage their own learning, enabling them to think critically about issues that are important to them and to research them further. It provides opportunities for planning and participating in action and then reflecting on their involvement.
Get Global! uses activities that promote a skills-based (rather than content-based) approach so they can be used within different subject areas and ages. This process together with selected activity ideas are incorporated into the Global News teaching programme.
Get Global! was funded by Oxfam, ActionAid, CAFOD, Christian Aid, Save the Children and the Department for International Development.
Down load the Get Global! guide in PDF format.
