Making Connections: Taking a Global Approach to Initial Teacher Education

It is now widely recognised, and reflected in current curriculum documents and teaching standards, that there are particular educational needs related to shaping a Scotland that understands its place in the world, and acts in a way that respects the rights and responsibilities associated with this role. Specifically, this means supporting learning that incorporates a global dimension and prepares young people to contribute to the sustainable development of society.

The 'Taking a Global Approach to Initial Teacher Education (ITE)' initiative brought together interested parties from each of the Teacher Education Institutions across Scotland, members of IDEAS and key stakeholders within education in order to build on previous and current work within ITE to establish the concepts and principles of Global Citizenship/Sustainable Development at the heart of Scottish Initial Teacher Education. In so doing, it was hoped that this initiative will better prepare teachers to effectively engage with the values, purposes and principles of a Curriculum for Excellence.

The project was a 3 year project which aimed to take a holistic, inclusive approach to embedding Education for Global Citizenship/Sustainable Development across the curriculum, enabling teacher educators and student teachers to make the connections both across the curriculum and between local and global issues. The project supported networking, capacity-building and research between Teacher Education Institutions in relation to Education for Global Citizenship/Sustainable Development and worked to highlight many of the innovative approaches that are currently being demonstrated within initial teacher education. This work has progressed and has now been taken on by the Global Learning Project.

If you are interested in finding out more about this project, would like to become involved or would like to be included in the project mailing list please contact IDEAS at iteproject@ideas-forum.org.uk or on 0131 225 2346. Or you can visit the new Global Approach Network website - www.global-approach.org.uk/.

You can also download the project information leaflet here.