Taking Action
Taking Action Learning Activity
Overview
The Taking Action Activity involves each student in a class devoting five hours to make a positive difference with respect to one of the global challenges. These activities could involve any of a number of activities (see description below).
Global Citizenship Objectives Addressed (K=knowledge; S=skill; A=attitude)
K6. Explain the interdependence of events and systems.
S4. Communicate effectively in writing and verbally.
S7. Take action to effect change, both individually and with a team.
A7. Feel a sense of responsibility and efficacy to take action based on ethical analysis and empathy.
Global Challenges addressed (could be any of the following)
Population (growth, aging, urbanization, migration)
Resources (food, water, energy, climate change)
Technology (computation, biotechnology, nanotechnology, transhumanism)
Information (data growth, access, social networking, information Integrity, knowledge)
Economies (interconnections, emerging players, debt, poverty)
Conflict (causes of conflict, nature of conflict, conflict resolution)
Governance (state actors, international organizations, multinational corporations, non-governmental organizations)
Global Citizenship (taking action on global challenges)
Description of Teaching and Learning Activity
This activity involves asking students to spend five hours taking action to make a small but important difference in positively addressed any of the global challenges listed above. Examples include 1) fundraising to support a cause (e.g., make a KIVA loan, buy an animal through Heifer to help someone living in poverty); 2) writing a public service announcement; 3) creating a youtube video on a relevant topic; and 4) hosting a discussion on a book or video about a global challenge topic. Students are asked to submit a report that relates the activity to addressing a specific global challenge. Guidelines for the activity and report appear in the handouts below.
Related Handouts
The following handouts provide additional information about the Taking Action activity: