Children learn best when they are inherently motivated to pursue new knowledge and skills; ownership and opportunity for initiative provide that inherent motivation. Most of what has been created for the children's universe--whether in cinema, theater, books, cartoons, or school curriculum content--has been created and produced by adults. But By…

Recognizing the valuable role nature plays in human development as well as humans' responsibility toward the earth is critically important when considering how to transform education for the betterment of the individual and society. In this article, the author views nature as a force or phenomenon of the metaphysical world. As such, she suggests…

As we work to educate our children in effective ways, supporting their efforts to make a positive difference reaps benefits for both students and society.

Many social systems, especially education, have an opportunity to significantly improve individual performance and well-being outcomes by attending to and including brain fitness as part of their approach. Brain fitness, like physical fitness, requires exercise. Brain-based "workout" activities improve cognitive development, and their…

For many educators, the inspiration to teach comes from a desire to make a positive difference in students' lives. As they seek to guide students toward their big goals through trying times, teachers need resources that strengthen social and emotional skills. Facing this very challenge, Allison Silverman, a teacher at Port Chester Middle School in…

Guatemala faces many challenges to its development that contribute to an underperforming education system with outdated methodologies and student engagement techniques, resulting in missed opportunities for today's youth. This is especially true for Indigenous girls, who experience disproportionate effects of marginalization in Guatemala, which…

The key elements of learning in a classroom remain largely invisible. Teachers cannot expect every student to learn to their fullest capacity; yet they can augment learning within a classroom through inquiry-based learning. In this article, the author describes inquiry-based learning and how to begin this process in the classroom.

Innovation should not be about simply doing something new and different. Focusing on what will truly benefit students and society as a whole is the best way to innovate with a purpose. What better purpose than to support our children in the role of citizens of the world?

As globalization speeds forward, there is immense pressure on school systems to keep up with the changing world. School leaders and teachers must continuously reevaluate their students' needs and consider the forces that will shape their futures. Learn how a dynamic, multi-campus high school in Mexico reimagined its approach to global competence…

In this article, the authors propose a problem-based approach to education that enables learners to build critical consciousness to drive "active citizenship"; develops their abilities to frame their identities; and empowers them to critically question any systemic, cultural, and physical manifestations of exclusion and marginalization.…

An important goal for education innovation is to support the development of today's students into strong and committed global citizens. Innovative programs that build leadership skills and expand foreign policy understanding are critically important to our interconnected future.

Twenty-six years after the 1994 founding of The Kalsom Movement, an independent and voluntary student-led charity specializing in tackling education inequality in Malaysia, much has changed in the world. Yet despite the rise of societal and governmental awareness on the importance of education--especially primary education--and the advancements in…

Homa Sabet Tavangar is the author of "Growing Up Global: Raising Children to Be At Home in the World" (Random House, 2009) and "The Global Education Toolkit for Elementary Learners" (Sage/Corwin, 2014). She works with diverse schools, corporations, non-profits, and children's media on optimizing learning, empathy, inclusion,…

Describes Improvised Musical Play (IMP), a teaching strategy that uses simple rhythms, chanting, and singing to make participation in social play with nondelayed peers easier for developmentally delayed children. (BB)

Describes an experimental course in communication arts covering reading and language arts from kindergarten to grade l2 designed to promote cooperative learning between the special educator and the classroom teacher. (CM)