Synthesis
In looking at the different maps, several common themes emerged. The first common theme that emerged was collaboration. In several of the drawings, the artists drew people supporting each other by standing together (Global Netting), or had letters being sent to communicate (Letters to Friends), or working together to reach a common goal (Unite the Puzzle And the Beautiful Image). This collaborative message seems positive throughout the drawings and the idea that we need to work together to solve problems and think critically is clear. This goes along with what we have learned with global education. You must communicate and collaborate together to help solve problems. This cohesiveness was prevalent throughout the drawings.
Another theme was interconnectedness. The understanding that we are all connected runs throughout many of the drawings. One example of this was in the drawing "Equality to Everybody." The black lines that encompass the globe represent the way people, ideas, goods, and services are connected. You also saw this theme in the drawings "Globalized World" and "Living Global." Interconnectedness is a theme of global education, and it is clear to see that this theme is understood by children around the world when they think of globalization. Other ways that demonstrated interconnectedness was drawings that had people holding hands, completing the world puzzle, and communication through "Letters to Friends."By showing how countries contain individuals yet how they are connected through different factors, this theme was strongly represented in the drawings.
A more concerning theme that emerged was the theme of environmental issues. Several of the drawings showed the world in a dire state. For example, "Life in a Globalized World" that had the world being cracked and demolished, or "Untitled" where the world was on fire, were just two examples of many that had pollution, litter, and other environmental concerns as the dominate theme in their drawings. The fact that young children view globalization as having a negative impact, or at least not helping the environment, show that it will take action and collaboration to solve this world issue.
Diversity was an additional theme in the childrens' maps. It showed people of varying cultures, countries that had different resources and services working together and connected. The diversity that is shown gives us the idea that we all have a role in the world and must be willing to collaborate with one another. It also shows a respect for differences and an understanding that we have beliefs and norms that are not the same, yet we are still working towards common goals.
A final theme that I noticed was knowledge. The students were able to accurately draw a map that showed they have received information, background knowledge, and perhaps even studied various countries and cultures. This "knowledge" is an important piece of global education that must be presented in order to achieve collaboration, communication, perspective taking, inquiry, and even action.
In all of the drawings it was clear that certain aspects of global education prevailed. Communication, collaboration, diversity and perspective taking, interconnectedness, and knowledge are all pieces of the large puzzle that teaches global citizens. It is up to educators to continue to teach globally in order to move forward in creating global citizens.
Another theme was interconnectedness. The understanding that we are all connected runs throughout many of the drawings. One example of this was in the drawing "Equality to Everybody." The black lines that encompass the globe represent the way people, ideas, goods, and services are connected. You also saw this theme in the drawings "Globalized World" and "Living Global." Interconnectedness is a theme of global education, and it is clear to see that this theme is understood by children around the world when they think of globalization. Other ways that demonstrated interconnectedness was drawings that had people holding hands, completing the world puzzle, and communication through "Letters to Friends."By showing how countries contain individuals yet how they are connected through different factors, this theme was strongly represented in the drawings.
A more concerning theme that emerged was the theme of environmental issues. Several of the drawings showed the world in a dire state. For example, "Life in a Globalized World" that had the world being cracked and demolished, or "Untitled" where the world was on fire, were just two examples of many that had pollution, litter, and other environmental concerns as the dominate theme in their drawings. The fact that young children view globalization as having a negative impact, or at least not helping the environment, show that it will take action and collaboration to solve this world issue.
Diversity was an additional theme in the childrens' maps. It showed people of varying cultures, countries that had different resources and services working together and connected. The diversity that is shown gives us the idea that we all have a role in the world and must be willing to collaborate with one another. It also shows a respect for differences and an understanding that we have beliefs and norms that are not the same, yet we are still working towards common goals.
A final theme that I noticed was knowledge. The students were able to accurately draw a map that showed they have received information, background knowledge, and perhaps even studied various countries and cultures. This "knowledge" is an important piece of global education that must be presented in order to achieve collaboration, communication, perspective taking, inquiry, and even action.
In all of the drawings it was clear that certain aspects of global education prevailed. Communication, collaboration, diversity and perspective taking, interconnectedness, and knowledge are all pieces of the large puzzle that teaches global citizens. It is up to educators to continue to teach globally in order to move forward in creating global citizens.