Think Tank on Global Education: Climate Change Edition

"We know that we have to keep fighting. We know that this isn't just about the weather and the environment. It's about justice. It's about knowing that we deserve a safe present, a just present, and a green and a sustainable future." - Mitzi Jonelle Tan, Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines

Learn to foster global competence in your school(s) using a proven framework and tactics for organizational change.

Overview

Events around the world underscore the importance of teaching students not only what it means to live and thrive in an interconnected world but also what it takes to strive collectively for better health, environmental sustainability, and social justice outcomes. Harvard Graduate School of Education’s annual Think Tank on Global Education invites educators to be at the forefront of curriculum development and strategy to advance global competence in classrooms, schools, districts, and communities.

Redesigned as an online institute, this program invites you to explore frameworks for organizing student learning with a focus on Climate Action and other United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. You will consider the types of competencies that students and teachers should develop to advance those goals, and familiarize yourself with approaches for assessing these competencies in light of the OECD PISA report on global competence and other resources.

Program Details

This virtual institute is made up of two parts, including both synchronous and asynchronous activities. Participants who complete both parts will receive a Certificate of Participation, and a letter indicating 13 clock hours.

Part I: Asynchronous Pre-Work, February 2–14
Total estimated time: 4 hours, self-paced
Two weeks prior to the live-online synchronous sessions, you will work independently or with your team, according to your own schedule, to become familiar with contemporary conceptions of global competency and to assess your current practice. This preparatory work will be used during the live portions of the institutes as the basis for developing your strategy to advance global competency in your sphere of influence.

Part II: Live Online Session, February 15, 17, and 19 (dates based on IST, CST, AEST)
Total estimated time: 9 hours, scheduled live sessions
During three live-online synchronous sessions, you will hear from thought-leaders, researchers, and practitioners who have been innovators in Climate Action and global education practice across their communities and schools systems. Working in groups, you will  analyze the levers for change in your context, create curricula, develop your approaches to assessment, and begin to build a systematic approach to improvement.

On the days between the live-online synchronous sessions, we will support you in taking stock of conditions that support or hinder progress toward your goals and experimenting with new concepts and tactics for leading learning with colleagues and students. All of this serves our collective goal of preparing young people to address one of the world’s most pressing problems:  climate change and its myriad effects.

Online Sessions Schedule

Live synchronous sessions will take place during the following times. Attendance at the live sessions is required to participate in this program. See what time live sessions take place in your time zone.

Delhi, INDIA | Indian Standard Time (IST)
February 15, 2022 from 7:30AM – 10:30AM
February 17, 2022 from 7:30AM – 10:30AM
February 19, 2022 from 7:30AM – 10:30AM
 
Beijing, CHINA|China Standard Time (CST)
February 15, 2022 from 10:00AM – 1:00PM
February 17, 2022 from 10:00AM – 1:00PM
February 19, 2022 from 10:00AM – 1:00PM
 
Sydney, AUSTRALIA | Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST)
February 15, 2022 from 1:00PM – 4:00PM
February 17, 2022 from 1:00PM – 4:00PM
February 19, 2022 from 1:00PM – 4:00PM

Boston, USA | US Eastern Standard Time (EST)
February 14, 2022 from 9:00PM – 12:00AM
February 16, 2022 from 9:00PM – 12:00AM
February 18, 2022 from 9:00PM – 12:00AM

Objectives

• Assess your current global education practice using the “five perspectives” framework by Fernando Reimers, and draft a strategy to drive systemic change.
• Explore curricular materials related to Climate Action (Goal #13) in your context, and use the broader set of the UN Sustainable Development Goals to frame and inform the curriculum for your learners.
• Explore “signature pedagogies” in global education and learn how exemplary teachers design signature learning experiences for their students.
• Review key findings from the PISA 2018 Results on the global competence assessment and understand its implications for your practice.
• Receive feedback on your current challenges through the Think Tank’s Consultancy—a protocol that facilitates reflection, peer coaching, and application of new ideas from the institute.
• Co-create a statement with your colleagues on building an education renaissance that advances global education and sustainable development.

Who Should Attend

• K–12 educators invested in global education and who support their students’ pursuit of global action; educators at all experience levels are welcome, including those with experience building students’ global competencies and those new to this effort
• School teams that comprise a variety of stakeholder roles, such as teachers, curriculum directors, instructional coaches, school leaders, and community members
• District and school network leaders
• Teacher educators
• Nonprofit sector leaders who serve and collaborate with schools

Fees & Policies

Note that all prices are listed in USD. Upon successful completion of this program, participants will receive a certificate of participation and a letter confirming clock hours of instruction. Payment or a purchase order must be received within 30 days of program acceptance, or upon receipt of the invoice if acceptance is within 30 days prior to the start of the program. Click here for more information on payment and financial aid.

Please click here for more information on our on-campus and online refund and withdrawal policies.

The Harvard Graduate School of Education reserves the right to change faculty or cancel programs at its discretion. In the unlikely event of program changes, the school is not responsible for non-refundable travel arrangements or other planning expenses incurred.

Closed Captioning and Accessibility

This online course includes live web conferences. For live events, we will arrange for captioning services upon your request. Please contact us via the Professional Education Community if you require accommodations and did not note so in your application. If possible, requests should be made at least a week in advance. Please note: we will make every effort to secure services, but all are subject to availability.