International-mindedness by Mariana Franco https://padlet.com/m_franco/rt6wp9dfi5l1 Discussion en-us 2017-10-08 15:59:10 UTC 2017-10-08 19:38:59 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Shakinghands.png 1. What does international-mindedness mean to you? m_franco https://padlet.com/m_franco/rt6wp9dfi5l1/wish/195011561 I was born in Colombia and have been living in Panama for the last 12 years. Half of that time I have worked in international institutions, meaning I share my life with people from many countries every day. This situation have taught me the world is very small and cultural differences are an opportunity to reflect about our own points of view and attitude to global challenges. 
International-mindedness means to be respectful, open-minded, and care about people and environment beyond your own society. ]]> 2017-10-08 15:59:35 UTC https://padlet.com/m_franco/rt6wp9dfi5l1/wish/195011561 2. What does it means to be a "global citizen"? m_franco https://padlet.com/m_franco/rt6wp9dfi5l1/wish/195011579 It means to understand we are individuals forming part of a big biological community.
It is easy to forget we are 7.6 billion people in the world if you don't get in touch with other cultures, but if you have the opportunity to meet people all around the world, your sense of belonging on this planet will increase and you start feeling a "global citizen" regardless your nationality or cultural background. ]]> 2017-10-08 15:59:47 UTC https://padlet.com/m_franco/rt6wp9dfi5l1/wish/195011579 6. What activities have you carried out in your class that have knowingly or unknowingly highlighted or celebrated international-mindedness? m_franco https://padlet.com/m_franco/rt6wp9dfi5l1/wish/195011661 While talking about ecology, my students had to make a presentation about different biomes and they sheared their memories of living in their motherlands under different conditions. 
For some of them, living in the tropical rainforest is something new, so they could express the characteristics of this biome they can notice the most, as high humidity and constant warm temperatures.]]> 2017-10-08 16:00:22 UTC https://padlet.com/m_franco/rt6wp9dfi5l1/wish/195011661 5. How can you help your students understand the importance of international understanding as it relates to your course? m_franco https://padlet.com/m_franco/rt6wp9dfi5l1/wish/195011714 Asking them for examples of collaboration in science. 
Almost every research topic in biology you can think about has several groups of  international collaborators world wide. 
In addition, we can lead discussions on how international environmental policies affect the entire planet, reason why it is extremely necessary we all know and understand the cultural background behind this policies.

]]> 2017-10-08 16:00:43 UTC https://padlet.com/m_franco/rt6wp9dfi5l1/wish/195011714 4. What are the ways in which the texts, topics, or ideas in your classroom have benefited from contributions from other communities, cultures, and nationalities? m_franco https://padlet.com/m_franco/rt6wp9dfi5l1/wish/195011763 I have a diverse group of students from different countries and continents. 
When we are discussing a topic of ecology, for example, students explain the climate conditions and biodiversity found in their different native countries, which enriches the information found in textbooks.
They can also share their cultural and personal point of view about other topics as stem cells investigation or genetic modifications, giving place to useful discussions in class.]]> 2017-10-08 16:01:06 UTC https://padlet.com/m_franco/rt6wp9dfi5l1/wish/195011763 3. How do schools today prepare students for global citizenship within biology and other group 4 subjects? m_franco https://padlet.com/m_franco/rt6wp9dfi5l1/wish/195011827 Experimental sciences depend on international collaboration and this is something our students learn early while doing their research on any scientific topic, when finding sources from different parts of the world related with their homework or investigations.
Also, many schools offer english taught curriculums, as a way to prepare students to communicate in a global language.
Talking about biology specifically, it involves the study of life all around the world, and our students understand they would need to travel to a different continent or a different region in order to study a specific group of organisms or certain ecological interaction. 
They learn about biomes and climate conditions changing from one place to another, and how organisms adapt to different environmental conditions.
Thanks to the development of the technology, academic training is every day more international either virtual or presencial, and schools should prepare students to join the academic program is better for them, no matter where.

]]> 2017-10-08 16:01:22 UTC https://padlet.com/m_franco/rt6wp9dfi5l1/wish/195011827