Global Education Calendar Events

5 Feb, World Wetlands DayWetlands include swamps, lakes, mudflats, mangroves, coral reefs, and peat lands. They are a critical part of our natural environment and cultural environment. This day focuses on the sustainable use of wetlands.

20 Feb, World Day of Social JusticeWorld Social Justice Day recognizes that social development and social justice are indispensable to achieving peace. It calls on everyone to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms.

21 Feb, International Mother Language DayLanguages are the most powerful instruments of preserving and developing our observable and unobservable heritage. This day promotes mother tongues and encourages linguistic diversity and multilingual education.

4 Mar, Schools Clean Up Australia DayJoin the thousands of school students across Australia on the Friday before the National Clean Up Day. Registration provides you with an education kit.

8 Mar, International Women's DayWomen and girls suffer great discrimination in many parts of the world. Investment in them can accelerate social, economic and political progress. This day focuses on the progress made towards equal rights, and equality of political and economic participation, for women and girls.

9 Mar, Commonwealth DayThe Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 54 countries, with a shared history, language (English) and institutions, which support each other and work together towards shared goals in democracy and

development. The aim of this day is to promote understanding on global issues and international cooperation.

21 Mar, World Forestry DayForests oxygenate the air and modify climate; provide habitats for plants and animals; protect catchments and provide products for human use and cultural

practices. This day promotes the sustainable use of forests.

21 Mar, International Day for the Elimination of Racial DiscriminationThis day commemorates the Sharpeville Massacre, which occurred in South Africa in 1960, when police fired at people demonstrating against the Apartheid ‘pass laws’.

21 Mar, Harmony Day‘Living in Harmony’ is an Australian Government initiative designed to promote community harmony, build relationships between people and address racism where it occurs in Australia. It coincides with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, and promotes the values of harmony, community, diversity, commitment, goodwill, and understanding.

22 Mar, World Water DayWater is a basic requirement for all life, yet water resources are facing increasing demands from, and competition among, users. This day focuses on sustainable water use.

24 Mar, World TB DayTuberculosis (TB) is a highly infectious airborne disease which can be cured with medication. This day promotes awareness that tuberculosis causes the deaths of several million people each year, mostly in developing countries.

25 Mar, Int. Remembrance Day – Victims of Slavery and Transatlantic Slave TradeThe transatlantic slave trade, the largest long-distance forced movement of innocent people in history, uprooted 25 to 30 million Africans during its 400 years. This day focuses on understanding the causes, consequences and lessons of the transatlantic slave trade, and the dangers of racism and prejudice.

4 Apr, International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine ActionThis day focuses on the progress being made, and the work still to be done, to make areas affected by landmines and explosive remnants of war safe.

7 Apr, World Health DayHealth is a state of complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. This day focuses on ways of improving health, especially for the poor, to expand their range of choices, improve their productivity and allow them to participate more fully in society.

25 Apr, World Malaria DayThe aim of World Malaria Day is to provide education and understanding of malaria as an infection that is preventable and a disease that is curable.

2 May, Global Campaign for Education Action WeekThe Global Campaign for Education promotes education as a basic human right. The website provides information and resources for focusing on the issue with details of countries around the world

3 May, World Press Freedom DayWorld Press Freedom Day reminds us of the crucial role that a free press plays in strengthening democracies and fostering development around the world. There are opportunities to examine bias and omission in the media and acknowledge the fact that some journalists face death or jail to bring people their daily news.

15 May, International Day of FamiliesThe International Day of Families provides an opportunity to reflect on the importance of families as basic units of society as well focusing on their situation around the world.

21 May, World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and DevelopmentThis day provides us with an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the values of cultural diversity and to learn to ‘live together’ better.

22 May, International Day for Biological DiversityBiodiversity is the variety of all life forms: the different plants, animals and micro-organisms, their genes and the ecosystems of which they are a part. This day helps us focus on how dependent we are on biodiversity for our survival and quality of life.

26 May, Australian Schools National Sorry DayThe Australian Schools National Sorry Day, ‘Sharing the journey of healing’ is a great way to begin Reconciliation week. It celebrates the apology by former Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, to the Stolen Generations on 13 February 2008.

27 May, Reconciliation WeekReconciliation week begins on 27 May. It is the anniversary of the 1967 Referendum to remove clauses from the Australian Constitution, which discriminated against Indigenous Australians. It concludes on 3 June, the anniversary of the 1992 High Court of Australia’s judgement in the Mabo case, which recognised the Native Title rights of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Celebrate this week by learning about the culture and history of Australia’s Indigenous people and exploring new and better ways of meeting challenges of reconciliation in our communities.

29 May, International Day of United Nations PeacekeepersWhen a country descends into internal conflict UN peacekeepers, military, police and civilian personnel, work to deliver security and create the conditions for lasting peace. This day pays tribute to the United Nations peacekeepers and also honours the memory of those who have lost their lives.

4 Jun, International Day of Innocent Children Victims of AggressionThe purpose of the day is to acknowledge the pain suffered by children throughout the world who are the victims of physical, mental and emotional abuse. This day affirms the UN's commitment to protect the rights of children.

5 Jun, World Environment DayThis day focuses on sustainable use of the environment, taking personal responsibility for a cleaner, greener and brighter outlook for ourselves and future generations across the world.

8 Jun, World Oceans DayOceans cover more than 70% of Earth’s surface and support a rich diversity of life. This day focuses on the sustainable use of oceans and consideration of the challenges

of overfishing and pollution for people who depend on fishing for their livelihood.

12 Jun, World Day Against Child LabourChild labour, according to International Labour Organization conventions, is work that harms children’s wellbeing and hinders their education, development and future livelihoods. Progress is being made but more needs to be done to combat child labour. The World Day Against Child Labour aims to promote awareness and action to tackle child labour.

17 Jun, World Day to Combat DesertificationThe impact of global desertification is threatening the livelihoods of 1.2 billion people who depend on the land for most of their needs. This day helps us focus on this serious drylands issue.

20 Jun, World Refugee DayConsider how radically your world would change if, without notice, you were forced to leave your home and possessions behind and move to an area where you knew nobody and had little idea of where your next meal would come from. World Refugee Day helps us focus on the 43.3 million people of concern in the world.

26 Jun, International Day in Support of Victims of TortureThis day promotes the total eradication of torture and the effective functioning of the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

26 Jun, International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit TraffickingIllicit drugs destroy innumerable individual lives and undermine our societies. Confronting the illicit trade in drugs and its effects is a major challenge for the international community.

1 Jul, NAIDOC WeekDuring NAIDOC Week (1–8 July) the National Aboriginal Islander Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) invites all Australians to celebrate and promote a greater understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

7 Jul, International Day of CooperativesInternational Day of Cooperatives seeks to raise awareness about the role of cooperatives in economic, social and cultural development.

11 Jul, World Population DayWorld Population Day helps us engage with the opportunities and challenges of living in a world of seven billion people.

27 Jul, Schools Tree DayPlanting native trees helps protect biodiversity. Trees help to filter water, combat salinity, clean the air and increase flows into water catchments. They also provide food and shelter to wildlife.

30 Jul, International Day of FriendshipInternational Day of Friendship is founded on the notion that friendship between individuals and communities promotes peace and understanding across communities, cultures and countries.

6 Aug, Hiroshima DayThis day commemorates the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima on 6 August 1945. The message of Hiroshima, as reflected in the lives of the survivors, is ‘Never again!’The day also focuses on campaigns against nuclear weapons and the promotion of global peace.

6 Aug, Homeless Persons' WeekOn any given night, almost one in every two hundred Australians is homeless. These people come from every neighbourhood and every age group. The Australian Federation of Homelessness Organisations hosts an annual awareness week to bring attention to the plight of Australia’s homeless people.

9 Aug, International Day of the World's Indigenous PeopleThis day celebrates the cultures and languages of the 370 million indigenous people in the world who live in more than 70 countries. Many live in impoverished conditions, suffering from the dispossession of their land and loss of cultural heritage.

12 Aug, International Youth DayInternational Youth Day recognises the need to increase the quality and quantity of opportunities available to young people for

full, effective and constructive participation in society.

19 Aug, World Humanitarian DayWorld Humanitarian Day celebrates humanitarian aid workers who help millions of people around the world with the provision of shelter, food and healthcare to those who have experienced natural disasters are in the midst of conflict, or who are living in prolonged poverty.

20 Aug, Keep Australia Beautiful WeekKeep Australia Beautiful Week (20–26 August) motivates Australians to improve their environment through collecting litter, resources conservation, reforestation and land care.

23 Aug, International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its AbolitionThis day commemorates the beginning of the uprising in Santo Domingo (today's Haiti and Dominican Republic), which eventually played a crucial role in the abolition of the trans-Atlantic slave trade in 1791.8 Sep, International Literacy DayOne in five adults around the world is unable to read and write, and more than 67 million children are currently out of school. International Literacy Day highlights the importance of literacy to individuals and communities.

15 Sep, International Day of DemocracyThis day promotes the involvement of the people in the public affairs of their country as an effective way of ensuring basic freedoms and equality for all.

16 Sep, International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone LayerThis day commemorates the commitment to phase out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting chemicals, a decision made in 1987 by 191 countries.

17 Sep, Australian Citizenship DayAustralian Citizenship Day is an opportunity for all Australians to reflect on the meaning and importance of citizenship.

21 Sep, International Day of PeaceThis day is devoted to world peace and encourages everyone to take steps towards peace in their lives and their communities.

27 Sep, World Tourism DayWorld Tourism Day aims to foster awareness about the social, cultural, political and economic values of tourism.

1 Oct, World Habitat DayWorld Habitat Day helps us reflect on the state of living conditions in cities and the basic right of all to adequate shelter. It also works to remind the world of its responsibility for the future of human habitats.

1 Oct, International Day of Older PersonsThe past 60 years has seen a steady drop in birth and death rates, resulting in a rapidly ageing global population. This day celebrates older citizens and engages people with the challenges of an ageing population.

2 Oct, International Day of Non-ViolenceInternational Day of Non-Violence takes place on the anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi. It inspires us to use peaceful action to promote ‘a culture of peace, tolerance, understanding and non-violence’.

5 Oct, World Teachers' DayTeachers are central to providing quality education to children and young people; equipping them with the knowledge and skills they need to contribute to building better societies as adults.

11 Oct, World Sight DayWorld Sight Day aims to focus global attention on blindness, visual impairment and rehabilitation of the visually impaired.

13 Oct, International Day for Disaster ReductionInternational Day for Disaster Reduction promotes a global culture of natural disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness.

16 Oct, World Food DayWorld Food Day aims to heighten public awareness of world food issues and strengthen solidarity in the struggle against hunger, malnutrition and poverty.

17 Oct, International Day for the Eradication of PovertyThis day is an opportunity to acknowledge the struggle of people living in poverty, a

chance for them to make their concerns heard, and for the community to recognise and support poor people in their fight against poverty.

20 Oct, Children's WeekChildren’s Week (20–28 October) celebrates the right of children to enjoy childhood. It is also a time for children to demonstrate their talents, skills and abilities. It includes the Australian celebration of Universal Children’s Day.

24 Oct, Disarmament WeekDisarmament Week (24–30 October) begins on the anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. It is an occasion to raise awareness of the crucial need to recognise disarmament as a key element in creating a more peaceful, just and sustainable world.

6 Nov, Int. Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed ConflictThis day helps us focus on how armed conflict can cause environmental damage that may endure long after the conflict has ceased, and may extend beyond the limits of national territories and the current generation of people.

10 Nov, World Science Day for Peace and DevelopmentScience plays an important role in people’s everyday lives, from the food we eat, the healthcare we receive and the machines we use. This day works to raise awareness of the significance of science and how it contributes to peace and development all over the world.

12 Nov, World Pneumonia DayPneumonia is the world’s leading cause of death in children under five. Almost all of pneumonia-related deaths occur in developing countries. This day promotes action against the disease by financial donors, policy-makers, healthcare professionals and the general public.

16 Nov, International Day for ToleranceIntolerance is often rooted in ignorance and fear: fear of the unknown, of other cultures, religions and nations. Intolerance is also closely linked to an exaggerated sense of self-worth and pride. This day reminds us of the time, education and commitment it takes

to build tolerance and trust in diverse communities.

19 Nov, World Toilet DayNearly two people in five do not have access to adequate sanitation. This contributes greatly to the spread of disease and loss of health and education. World Toilet Day aims to improve toilets for all through providing more and cleaner sanitation facilities, especially for women and the disabled.

20 Nov, Universal Children's DayMarking the anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child (1959) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1999), this day helps us focus on improving the lives of children.

25 Nov, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against WomenViolence against women and girls prevents their full development and participation in society and limits their opportunities to achieve legal, social, political and economic equality. This day raises awareness about the issue and encourages action against violence against women and girls.

1 Dec, World AIDS DayWorld AIDS Day celebrates progress made in the battle against the epidemic and brings into focus challenges that still remain. It also highlights the role we all have to play by protecting others and ourselves against HIV/AIDS and welcoming those living with the disease.

2 Dec, International Day for the Abolition of SlaveryDespite it being more than 200 years since the abolition of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, slavery persists today in the form of bonded labor, early and forced marriages, trafficking and exploitative labor.

3 Dec, International Day of People with DisabilityThis day recognizes the achievements and contributions of people who live with a disability and aims to mobilize support for their dignity, rights and wellbeing.

5 Dec, International Volunteer DayThis day celebrates the efforts of those who have made an important contribution to society by giving their time as volunteers.

10 Dec, Human Rights DayThe Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted on 10 December 1948, outlines the rights and fundamental freedoms of all people in all the nations of the world.

Human rights are universal, indivisible and essential for development and democracy.

18 Dec, International Migrants DayIt is estimated that some 130 million people live outside their countries of origin. International Migrants Day highlights the need to ensure respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of migrants in their new countries.

Sternberg’s 21st Century 3R

We are all familiar with the old-fashioned curriculum of the 3R's-reading, writing, and arithmetic but Robert Sternberg of Tufts University has called for a curriculum that centres on developing student competence in what he calls "the other 3R's." In this case, the R's stand for Reasoning which include analytical, critical thinking and problem solving skills, Resilience which encompasses life skills such as flexibility, adaptability and self-reliance ,and Responsibility which Sternberg links to wisdom, which he defines as "the application of intelligence, creativity and knowledge for a common good."

21ST CENTURY CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION

Teaches 21st century skills discretely in the context of core subjects and 21st century

interdisciplinary themes

Focuses on providing opportunities for applying 21st century skills across content areas and for a

competency-based approach to learning

Enables innovative learning methods that integrate the use of supportive technologies, inquiry-

and problem-based approaches and higher order thinking skills

Encourages the integration of community resources beyond school walls

The relationship between curriculum and instruction is obviously a very close one.   Curriculum is essentially a design, or roadmap for learning, and as such focuses on knowledge and skills that are judged important to learn.  Instruction is the means by which that learning will be achieved.  To meet the needs of the 21st century learner and achieve the student outcomes described in its Framework, the Partnership calls on schools

to adopt a 21st century curriculum that blends thinking and innovation skills; information, media, and ICT literacy; and life and career skills in context of core academic subjects and across interdisciplinary themes, and

to employ methods of 21st century instruction that integrate innovative and research-proven teaching strategies, modern learning technologies, and real world resources and contexts.

Tony Wagner and Robert Kegan, co-directors of the Change Leadership Group at Harvard University, recommend a curriculum built on a different set of “new 3 R’s” – that is, Rigor, Relevance, and Respect.  (Note that the Change Leadership Group’s 3 R's address instructional approaches, while Sternberg’s R’s are framed as student outcomes.)  Rigor, for Wagner, et al, does not mean content that is difficult for students to master, rather it concerns what students are

able to do as a result of their learning. Relevance means helping students understand how their learning connects to their further studies and future work settings. Respect means promoting respectful relationships between and among teachers and students that foster academic and social competence.Other notable curricula have been proposed by Harvard researcher David Perkins, who has long advocated that thinking skills be taught as a “meta-curriculum” intertwined with traditional core subjects, and Marc Tucker and Judy Codding, who citing decades of research, urge schools to adopt “a thinking curriculum – one that provides a deep understanding of the subject and the ability to apply that understanding to the complex, real-world problems that the student will face as an adult.”These are just some of the many ways to approach a 21st century curriculum.  The point in describing several models is to demonstrate the soundness of a variety of approaches.  There is no one best approach for teaching 21st skills. Each school system must determine what makes the most sense given their unique circumstances. As this paper demonstrates, the Partnership’s call for the integration of cognitive and social skills with content knowledge is not new to this century.  There are, however, a few critical components that 21st century schools should make part of their curriculaPerhaps foremost, and most obvious, is that the curriculum must go beyond content knowledge to include a strong emphasis on 21st century skills development. Research shows that when schools employ a curriculum that balances knowledge and skills, students may cover fewer topics, but they generally learn more than with a content-only curriculum. “The illusion of covering less is just that – an illusion,” states David Perkins.  “Perhaps fewer pages have been read, but the knowledge gains are almost always about the same or better.  The topper, of course, is that gains in understanding and insight are often much greater…”

John Bransford (2007) has observed that many people mistakenly feel students cannot be asked to master what are sometimes called “higher-level skills” unless they first learn basic content like that tested on standardized tests. But actually, he states, “people are built to be learners who inquire and interrogate and get feedback as they learn to solve complex problems. So learning-to-learn and inquiry skills, guided by the ability to ask relevant questions due to knowledge of the ‘big ideas’ of various disciplines, are actually the fundamental skills that we need to emphasize.” 

As with curriculum, any number of pedagogical approaches may be successfully employed to build student competence in the skills and knowledge Bransford describes.  The choice of instructional strategies is best made on a local level, taking into account the resources, expertise, and learning needs of that particular community of learners.  But there are a number of research-supported approaches that have proven to be effective ways to enhance learning of both skills and content.  One such approach is problem-based learning (or PBL), an instructional strategy in which “students investigate rich and challenging issues and topics, often in the context of real world problems.”  PBL models may also include other aspects of 21st century instruction such as the use of interdisciplinary content, cooperative learning groups, and student reflection. Research has shown that because working with problems requires students to generate ideas and provide explanations, it promotes learning.   Problem-based learning also has been shown to increase students’ active engagement with content, as well as their capacity for self-directed learning, collaboration, and social interaction.

Another pedagogy that supports 21st century skills is cooperative learning.  Organizing students in well-structured heterogeneous groups has been shown to have a powerful effect on learning.  Such groupings also have the advantage of promoting teamwork, leadership and other life/career skills, while enhancing student academic performance. 

Using real world contexts is another key component of 21st curriculum and instruction.  Research shows that when teachers create meaningful learning activities that center on the resources, strategies, and contexts that students will encounter in adult life, such teaching reduces absenteeism, fosters cooperation and communication, builds critical thinking skills, and boosts academic performance.   When students see the connection between what they are learning and real world issues that matter to them, their motivation soars, and so does their learning.   Developing a robust and engaging 21st century curriculum and employing 21st century

instruction means that teachers and school leaders will need to look outside the school walls and seek ideas, resources, and expertise where they are found – in their community; in professional and educational groups; and in individuals, schools, and organizations around the world.Educational technologies, of course, are an essential part of a 21st century curriculum, too. It’s important, though, to realize that this does not means teaching technology for its own sake – but rather applying appropriate technologies to instructional tasks in order to enrich the learning of both traditional and 21st century content, as well as promote the development of 21st century skills. And “appropriate technology,” in some cases, may mean a pencil, or a book, or a conversation. 

Twenty-first century schools, though, also take advantage of advanced technologies. Pedagogies that thoughtfully incorporate today’s learning tools yield research-proven learning benefits, such as enabling students to employ simulations to “see” microscopic processes or “re-live” historical events.  Communications technologies facilitate giving and receiving feedback and allow students to progressively revise their work – all instructional strategies that have been shown to enhance learning.   And today’s digital tools make it possible to expand the walls of the classroom and enable the integration of resources – scientific data, library collections, video and film archives – from across the globe into the curriculum.   As noted earlier, instruction that features real world contexts facilitates the transfer of learning from school to life.   Digital communications make it possible to bring in wisdom and lived experience of people in the community, as well as experts from the worlds of science, business, government and higher education – and thus, bring life to learning. 

Although listed as a separate 21st century support system (and addressed in another section of this paper), assessment is inextricably linked to instruction.  Thus, we can’t leave the topic of 21st century instruction without touching on formative assessments, assessments that enable a teacher to evaluate learning while it is occurring. Such assessments make it possible to diagnose learning gaps, and address them before they lead to more fundamental misunderstandings of knowledge or misapplication of skills. Formative assessment tools such as rubrics play an important role in the 21st century classroom by providing teachers and students with clear guidelines on what constitutes acceptable levels of achievement.To guide educators in using technology to promote 21st century curricula and instruction, the Partnership, in collaboration with several content area organizations, has developed a series of ICT Literacy Maps illustrating the intersection between Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Literacy and core academic subjects.  These maps enable educators to view concrete examples of how ICT Literacy can be integrated into core subjects, while making the teaching and learning of core subjects more relevant to the demands of the 21st century.

Sources:

http://www.globaleducation.edu.au/calendar/calendar-events.html

http://allafrica.com/stories/201401200932.html

http://route21.p21.org/?option=com_content&view=article&id=140:21st-century-c&i&catid=13:curriculum-and-instruction&Itemid=228

Republic of the PhilippinesTarlac State UniversityCollege of Education

Lucinda CampusTarlac City

Global Education, 21st century 3Rs by

Sternberg, and 21st century Curriculum and

Instruction(Curriculum Development)

Submitted by: Ann Janette C. Pascua

Submitted to: Dr.Leodivina P. Tagama