Peace Corps

• Subject(s): Language Arts & Literature, Social Studies & Geography
• Grade Level(s): 6–8, 9–12
• Related Publication: Global Issues | Education

Overview

In this WebQuest, students will investigate the connections between education access and a variety of key global issues. Looking at school enrollment rates and trends around the world, they will analyze recent progress in the movement to provide universal primary education, as well as identify the existing challenges. Specifically, they will focus on the connections between literacy and poverty both in the United States and around the world. After exploring examples of the ways people are working to improve learning opportunities locally and globally, students will write reflective essays articulating their own views on the value of education and how the world can better achieve the goal of learning for all.

Background Information

More about Peace Corps Volunteers' work in education

Global Issues | Education

• Peace Corps - What Do Volunteers Do? - Education

More about education in the United States

• U.S. Department of Education

More about education in the world

• United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) - Education
• World Bank - Education

Objectives

• Articulate their own views on the value of quality education
• Describe connections between education and other global issues
• Analyze trends in global school enrollment, completion, and literacy
• Interpret potential relationships between poverty and educational opportunities
• Describe strategies to foster learning for all

Vocabulary

• Achievement gap: Discrepancy between groups of students on measures of educational performance
• Compulsory: Mandatory
• Lifelong learning: Continuing to educate oneself beyond the school years or outside the classroom
• Marginalized: Excluded
• Universal primary education: Providing a complete course of primary (elementary) education for all primary school-aged boys and girls in the world

Featured Reading(s)

• Global Issues | Education

Materials

• Student access to computers with Internet and audio

Procedures

1. Begin with small group discussions addressing the question: What is the purpose of education ? Encourage students to consider this question on an individual and global level.
2. Explain to students that they will be engaging in a WebQuest in which they will investigate education, its role in international development, and current successes and challenges related to educational access. They will focus on the relationship between literacy and poverty, and will see examples of initiatives to promote quality learning opportunities locally and globally - including initiatives led by Peace Corps Volunteers. Finally, they will write about their own perspectives on education. If students are unfamiliar with Peace Corps, view the video available on the Peace Corps website .
3. In the computer lab, direct students to the Ensuring Access to Quality Education WebQuest. . On the Student Page, read the Introduction and Task sections together, demonstrating how to navigate through the WebQuest and collect information requested on the data collection sheet.
4. Allow time for students to work on the WebQuest independently, in pairs, or in small groups. Provide assistance to students as needed during their work time.
5. Once students have arrived at the section Reflection , provide your own guidelines for students' essays. Allow time for students to write or assign the essay as a take-home activity.
6. After students have completed their writing, allow an opportunity for students to share their ideas with their classmates, either through a group discussion or by exchanging their written work.
7. Use the questions in the Conclusion section of the WebQuest to guide a class discussion, or ask for students' verbal or written reflections.
8. To engage students in further interdisciplinary exploration, see the teaching suggestions listed in Investigating Education .

Framework and Standards

Enduring Understandings

• Education is a human right.
• Education is closely linked to many critical global issues.
• While enrollment in school is key, a larger goal than school enrollment should be ensuring learning for all.

Essential Questions

• How does education benefit individuals and communities?
• Why does inequality exist in access to quality education?
• How can I help promote equal access to quality education?

Standards

National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies

• Thematic Strand IX: Global Connections
  • Use maps, charts, and databases to explore patterns and predict trends regarding global connections at the community, state, or national level
  • Explore the causes, consequences, and possible solutions related to persistent, current, and emerging global issues

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts

• Literacy in History/Social Studies
  • Integration of Knowledge and Ideas: Integrate quantitative or technical analysis (e.g., charts, research data) with qualitative analysis in print or digital text.
  • Research to Build and Present Knowledge: Draw evidence from informational texts to support analysis reflection, and research
• Writing
  • Text types and Purposes: Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.
  • Production and Distribution of Writing: Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.