In the article, “World Culture and the Future of Schooling”, authors David Baker and Gerald LeTendre assert that education, more specifically “mass schooling”, is a global phenomenon. They state the perception of education as a “unique product of a nation’s culture and governmental effort to prosperity for its citizens” is outdated in this global age (243). As an overall outlook on education I believe this is false and that the world will require far more time to achieve something different that is truly global. It is not, however, unforeseeable. For now, the practice of mass schooling can be labelled a global phenomenon and at the same time be an institution that assures individual nations’ interests.
It will only begin to evolve into a truly global system when curricula across nations is standardized and emphasizes similar lessons and values. Within the United States alone, such subjects as evolution and the American Civil War are taught differently based on state or region. So some time is needed before such a system is even devised. As well, in the end a nation’s interests and future has been and always will be at the core of education. This is also, however, why a more global system is feasible at some point in the future.
As the world grows smaller, second languages and cultural studies grow more important within the educational system and for a country’s best interests. While businesses are becoming global and the international market is larger than ever it is more important now that nation’s citizens are knowledgeable of the people and cultures they are conducting business with. With the globalization of technology, now a top economic commodity and interest, it is surely to be integrated more so into education systems around the world for countries who want to compete in those fields. Therefore, it is within every countries’ interests to make their curriculum more “global” and focused on a “world culture” if they wish to compete on the global economic playing field. As areas of expertise such as technology become more important in a global setting as well, it is within each country’s interests to keep up with the latest trends and trades and integrate them into their education systems, ultimately creating similarities in different systems around the world.
