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Books in the Nettlefold Library
Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Dragon? by Yong Zhao
"The secrets behind China's extraordinary educational system - good, bad, and ugly, Chinese students' consistently stunning performance on the international PISA exams-- where they outscore students of all other nations in math, reading, and science--have positioned China as a world education leader. American educators and pundits have declared this a "Sputnik Moment," saying that we must learn from China's education system in order to maintain our status as an education leader and global superpower. Indeed, many of the reforms taking hold in United States schools, such as a greater emphasis on standardized testing and the increasing importance of core subjects like reading and math, echo the Chinese system. We're following in China's footsteps--but is this the direction we should take? Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Dragon? by award-winning writer Yong Zhao offers an entertaining, provocative insider's account of the Chinese school system, revealing the secrets that make it both "the best and worst" in the world. Born and raised in China's Sichuan province and a teacher in China for many years, Zhao has a unique perspective on Chinese culture and education. He explains in vivid detail how China turns out the world's highest-achieving students in reading, math, and science--yet by all accounts Chinese educators, parents, and political leaders hate the system and long to send their kids to western schools. Filled with fascinating stories and compelling data, Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Dragon? offers a nuanced and sobering tour of education in China. Learn how China is able to turn out the world's highest achieving students in math, science, and reading Discover why, despite these amazing test scores, Chinese parents, teachers, and political leaders are desperate to leave behind their educational system Discover how current reforms in the U.S. parallel the classic Chinese system, and how this could help (or hurt) our students' prospects "
World Class Learners by Yong Zhao
In the new global economy, the jobs that exist now might not exist by the time today's students enter the workplace. To succeed in this ever-changing world, students need to be able to think like entrepreneurs: resourceful, flexible, creative, and global. Researcher and Professor Yong Zhao unlocks the secrets to cultivating independent thinkers who are willing and able to use their learning differently to create jobs and contribute positively to the globalized society. World Class Learners presents concepts that teachers, administrators and even parents can implement immediately, including how to: Understand the entrepreneurial spirit and harness it Foster student autonomy and leadership Champion inventive learners with necessary resources Develop global partners and resources With the liberty to make meaningful decisions and explore nontraditional learning opportunities, today's students will develop into tomorrow's global entrepreneurs.
International Educational Development and Learning Through Sustainable Partnerships by Steven Coombs; Mark Potts; Jack Whitehead
How can we deal with immigration? What is meant by effective citizenship? How can we implement the Big Society and reduce cultural tensions? This book offers a new form of citizenship education based on a Living Global Citizenship approach that allows participants to demonstrate values such as cultural empathy. This alternative pedagogy for the delivery of effective citizenship education within any cultural setting creates a new meaning for the term 'cultural education'. Living Global Citizenship projects allow participants from different communities to take ownership of their priorities for development and the long-term transformation of their own communities. They provide a way of delivering authentic citizenship education through an international educational partnership that enables participants to critically assess their values and to develop meaningful relationships from which new understandings emerge to challenge the predominant view of development.