Global Knowledge | Knowledge

Understanding that global issues are complex (32-GK)

32-GK is about students recognizing the complexity of global issues and/or the challenges associated with tackling them. Students may focus on the complexity of the issues on a broad level or grapple with the complexity of balancing personal desires and needs with concerns over exacerbating or contributing to global issues.

Define

Students might demonstrate their understanding that the global issues they study are complex by:

  • Noting complexity of global issues.
  • Recognizing and identifying the challenges of finding, planning, and implementing viable solutions to global issues.
  • Acknowledging and/or grappling with personal lifestyle/enjoyment vs. environmental or social responsibility.
  • Proposing solutions to issues at different levels—individual solutions, neighborhood solutions, infrastructure solutions, etc.
  • Recognizing that multiple systems are involved/at play and/or explaining explicit ways systems interact (intercity; local-global).

    • Teach

    Use the resources below to teach this global knowledge indicator to your students.

    This workshop, co-hosted by Global Cities, Inc. and Council on Foreign Relations Education, helps K-12 educators customize a lesson plan for teaching the issue of global migration with a focus on building students’ lifelong global competency. The workshop draws on two free educational tools:

    CFR Education's free resources make complex global issues accessible through lesson plans, articles, timelines, videos, simulations, and more.

    Global Cities' Codebook for Global Student Learning Outcomes helps educators define, teach, and measure the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors that contribute to global competency.

    Measure

    Customize this tool to observe how and when students demonstrate an understanding that global issues are complex.