Globalization is a modernization and western process through which societies move from a traditional to a modern setup. As a result, it unites various societies in the world today almost making the world be a global village. It brings along rapid changes since people can interact more closely with one another and thus effects on various sectors. In addition, globalization involves shaping of new systems from simultaneous to differentiated social occurrences such as changed realities. In the changes brought about by globalization, the education system is not left behind and is impacted in all levels from the low levels to higher education.
The rapid developments in technology and communication have initiated changes in the school systems worldwide. This is because there has been transferring and sharing of values, ideas and knowledge, and the roles of the students have shifted from industrialization heading to an information-based society (Chinnammai, pg. 2). As a result of the changes in the school system, globalization has led to a new form of cultural imperialism. Cultural imperialism involves passing of a foreign viewpoint on a certain people. This has been the case in globalization since it is viewed as western process, and therefore it has involved transferring of western ideas to the other countries for instance, the developing countries.
Moreover, as a result of a global society, children across the divide are being shaped into global citizens who are full of intelligence and who have a range of competitive skills. These are the skills that they will apply in a dynamic and information-based society that is full of competition. In addition, the education system or education in general is becoming a lifelong learning experience where people are trained and impacted with knowledge and skills. These are the skills to be applied in the competitive world markets where information and knowledge are being traded as a commodity (Chinnammai, pg. 2).
Furthermore, the traditional education system of impacting and delivering knowledge has changed and has been replaced by the modern perspective. This is whereby, education materials to scholars are made through electronic forms with teachers also preparing notes and teaching in electronic forms. Students are now shifting from the paperwork and do examinations through computer generated exams in addition to handling assignments and projects in materials such as flash disks.
Blackboards are being replaced with video projection screens and books with CD-ROMS while students are no longer even required to travel or walk for long distances to access the library. The digital library has enhanced access to materials as students can now access library materials from their residences and personal gadgets such as laptops (Chinnammai, pg. 2).
Globalization has also led to shifts in terms of class attendance. Students are no longer required to be physically in class due to a more flexible system than the traditional system. The traditional system involved students being present in class wherever required to do so or when a lecture is ongoing. The modern system involves e-learning and distance learning where students receive study materials from teachers through an online platform and do tutorial exercises on a computer rather than a classroom. This means that students can complete courses without having to change a location hence enabling access to education.
Moreover, globalization has enhanced the student's experience in terms of discovering knowledge through inquiry. Students can enquire and experiment from a global perspective rather than memorize notes as given by tutors in a dominated classroom setup. This has also influenced teachers and students to be technologically wise since it has enhanced their skills on the operationalization of electronic gadgets.
In addition, there has been increased competition in the education sector among the world students as countries compete in students' performance through international programs. Such programs include program for international student assessment (PISA) and trends in international mathematics and science study (TIMSS). This has led to the perception that such kind of competition is healthy and positive for the improved quality in education and schools systems and hence competitive markets (Sahlberg, pg. 67).
Lastly, globalization has led to different approaches by policy makers and government in the reformation of the education sector. An approach by the government depends on three main factors of government's objective of financial situation, its interpretation of the situation and its political and ideological position regarding the public sector in education (Sahlberg, pg. 67). The structural adjustment policies in the education sector have been to transit towards the global education standards. This has been done through educational practices such as benchmarking the entire systems of the less developed and the developing countries to match those of economically developed countries.
Works Cited
Chinnammai. S. “Effects of Globalization on Education and Culture.” ICDE International Conference: 1-5. November, 2005. New Delhi. Print.
Sahlberg. P. “Teaching and Globalization.” Managing Global Transitions 2 (1): 65-83. Print
