International mindedness wall by https://padlet.com/reece_wartenberg/5m25r26gryqh This is my wall addressing international mindedness for the IB biology Cat. 1 workshop. en-us 2019-03-16 06:13:55 UTC 2025-11-28 15:40:48 UTC hello@padlet.com What does international-mindedness mean to you? reece_wartenberg https://padlet.com/reece_wartenberg/5m25r26gryqh/wish/341976286 To me international mindedness is the ability to consider other people, cultures, countries and customs even though you may never have travelled abroad. It is a heightened sense of awareness for our global community that celebrates multiple perspectives and respects all views. It celebrates individuality but also the similarities between people from different cultures so that the internationally minded may appreciate our global family. ]]> 2019-03-16 06:18:37 UTC https://padlet.com/reece_wartenberg/5m25r26gryqh/wish/341976286 What does it means to be a "global citizen"? reece_wartenberg https://padlet.com/reece_wartenberg/5m25r26gryqh/wish/341976449 To me a global citizen appreciates the people, cultures, customs and countries of our global family. A global citizen should be inquisitive and have the desire to continually learn about all countries and cultures. A global citizen does not necessarily need to be a traveler, but should have the curiosity to travel either physically or through digital ]]> 2019-03-16 06:22:55 UTC https://padlet.com/reece_wartenberg/5m25r26gryqh/wish/341976449 How do schools today prepare students for global citizenship within biology and other group 4 subjects? reece_wartenberg https://padlet.com/reece_wartenberg/5m25r26gryqh/wish/341976635 Biology and the experimental sciences are innately internationally-minded. For centuries scientists all over the world have been collaborating internationally to make breakthroughs in all fields. Three modern examples include the construction, operation and maintenance of the space station; research on the human genome project; and the development and maintenance of the millennium seed bank. 

While schools today take many measures to prepare students for global citizenship, I believe the cornerstone of this process is in teaching students to collaborate. In the younger years this is seen when students conduct group projects. In the older years we see it when students do group labwork. These simple group activities teach students the skills necessary to collaborate internationally in their future lives. 

An additional specific example of preparing students to be global citizens can be found in the IGCSE biology curriculum which I have been teaching. One of the sections we teach is called Human Influences on the Ecosystem. This section teaches students to be more aware of their actions and helps students understand that local actions can have global consequences. ]]> 2019-03-16 06:27:53 UTC https://padlet.com/reece_wartenberg/5m25r26gryqh/wish/341976635 What are the ways in which the texts, topics, or ideas in your classroom have benefited from contributions from other communities, cultures, and nationalities? reece_wartenberg https://padlet.com/reece_wartenberg/5m25r26gryqh/wish/341977441 I continually try to draw on international examples of recent international research to help stimulate a curiosity for research in my students. We have also had discussions on the recent rise in big data from all countries and how it can both benefit and hinder the progression of society. Discussions on topics like this help students to see that the world is becoming smaller and smaller and the need to be global citizens is paramount. ]]> 2019-03-16 06:45:51 UTC https://padlet.com/reece_wartenberg/5m25r26gryqh/wish/341977441 How can you help your students understand the importance of international understanding as it relates to your course? reece_wartenberg https://padlet.com/reece_wartenberg/5m25r26gryqh/wish/341977598 I think it is important to always draw on the cornerstone principles of international mindedness when conducting class discussions; an awareness of other cultures, customs, countries and people. It is important to help students to see that the world is much bigger than the four walls of the biology classroom. I also believe that allowing students time to conduct autonomous online research into particular topics of interest is a great way to stimulate their understanding of international mindedness. From an IB perspective I think it is important to teach the biology curriculum holistically and to incorporate aspects of TOK wher]]> 2019-03-16 06:49:51 UTC https://padlet.com/reece_wartenberg/5m25r26gryqh/wish/341977598 What activities have you carried out in your class that have knowingly or unknowingly highlighted or celebrated international-mindedness? reece_wartenberg https://padlet.com/reece_wartenberg/5m25r26gryqh/wish/341977780 As mentioned previously, I like to draw on examples of major international collaborative research like the European Council for Nuclear Research (CERN), the International Cancer Genome Consortium and the Human Cell Atlas to help them understand the importance of international understanding. I also give my students autonomous research tasks in these areas which allows them time to do extra work to better understand these international projects. ]]> 2019-03-16 06:53:53 UTC https://padlet.com/reece_wartenberg/5m25r26gryqh/wish/341977780