Speak+up,+Listen,+and+Participate!!!+(My+thoughts+on+Global+Learning)

I define global learning as a process that takes into the consideration the unique needs, interests, creativity, and cultural practices of students worldwide as a way to develop deeper understanding of the world and our interactions within it and with each other. The goal of global learning should be to foster happiness, empathy, awareness, and social justice not economic means or competition. As I reflect on this definition I noticed what is missing is how to undergo this process to ensure that such learning takes place. After engaging in the literature on global learning I want to add an element that can support global learning, deliberation. Deliberation is the process of identifying a problem and engaging in thoughtful, critical, reflective, analytical, and respectful discussion. The goal of this discussion is to come up with solutions to the problem as a group. As I was reading through our individual profiles and introduction I noticed that we all are passionate about an issue or concern whether it’s in our local communities, state, country, or the world. This reflects and illustrates our desires to make others aware of what is happening. Thus I believe deliberation will enable us as members of a global community to share our concerns in a deliberate manner that will evoke change and or solutions to our problems. So I will encourage us as a community to share our concerns or even good news. Then be willing to listen and provide feedback, and lastly actively discuss in a way that will provide solutions. Through such a process we can truly learn from each other. If my definition of global learning is to foster happiness, empathy, awareness, and social justice then deliberation is the process to implement. It is a democratic method that provides voice to everyone involved. To be a part of this world we must therefore be willing to speak, listen, and participate.

Questions to consider

1) Why do you think deliberation is often not utilized or valued in schools? Or is it in your respected school? 2) What issue or concern would you identify whether in your local community, state, country, or world that should be discussed through the deliberation process? 3) What do you want your "mark" on the world to be? 4)What does the issue or concern you select say about you?

Michael West:

**1) Why do you think deliberation is often not utilized or valued in schools? Or is it in your respected school?**
There are a lot of reasons - some of which are not always the fault of the schools or the school systems themselves. For example, in today's educational climate of standardized testing and the growing importance of providing tangible evidence of quantitative learning, teachers and school officials are often so consumed with the duties of those objectives, that they often look for easy, efficient, and often top-down, solve-it-now-in-the-quickest-way-possible

**2) What issue or concern would you identify whether in your local community, state, country, or world that should be discussed through the deliberation process?**
I would like to address is the community involvement (or lack thereof in many cases) in and throughout the school system, and the lack of self-pride in the hearts and minds of many of the students who attend my school. As a teacher, I am working with children after school in various clubs and activities, and also endeavor to engage them in one-on-one conferences on a regular basis. I try to be professional with the kids, but also accessible. I make a conscious effort to hear me, and know me and an individual, and help them to realize that we have as much to teach in this life as we have to learn.

**3) What do you want your "mark" on the world to be?**
I want to be someone who makes a positive difference in the lives of young people. There's an old saying that goes, don't strive to make your presence known, strive to make your absence felt. That's what I want my mark on the world to be.

**4)What does the issue or concern you select say about you?**
I'd like to think it says that I'm willing to do what's necessary, even if it means I don't receive personal recognition. There's a lot to do yet in this world, to make it a better place. And the jobs that need to be done don't always go hand in hand in public recognition for the jobs tha