Globalization is a phenomenon that affects all spheres of human activity and dictates new trends for them. Education, knowledge, and the ability to learn quickly become influential factors in the development of the state. Harnessing the potential of science and technology is now a prerequisite for strengthening national competitiveness. The process of globalization has increased the intensity of the acquisition and application of knowledge, which is the primary source of economic growth in various countries. Despite the fact that there is a blurring of state borders and interests, in education globalization provides many opportunities for individual development, the growth of their professionalism, and the development of personal intellectual capital.
Globalization, together with rapidly developing information technologies, is expanding educational opportunities. Everyone with Internet access can take courses online, participate in conferences, share experiences with colleagues from other countries, and access information through online libraries (Adeoye and Arome, 2019). Some educational institutions also offer to study certain disciplines remotely, without changing students’ and teachers’ locations. The number of educated citizens investing their strength and abilities in the economy is growing. Moreover, globalization contributes to more accessible education in another country – in this way, a person gets a unique experience; cultural exchange occurs (Jackson, 2016). Thus, the globalization of education gives freedom of choice and makes it possible to take into account everyone’s individual needs to find the best opportunities for themselves.
Globalization creates the prerequisites for greater commercialization of education and the creation of new educational companies. They quickly become leaders in innovative learning and prove the availability of knowledge. For example, the Apollo Group aims to find students around the world ready to study online, for example, already working. Their experience shows that such strategies work thanks to globalization – “Enrollment for the Apollo Group increased 22 percent from 345,300 students to 420,700 from 2008 to 2009.” (Capalbo, n.d., p. 9) At another corporation, Kaplan, recruitment increased by 31 percent in the same period of time. These data represent global trends in the availability of education.
The mutual influence of different educational systems on each other allows students to gain the skills and experience necessary to work in different countries, and with representatives of different cultures. The education of multiculturalism and tolerance can create a basis for understanding the world as a whole and its problems. It will increase the chances of educating world leaders focused on a joint search of a solution to global issues and working in the team. Systems thinking skills are necessary for the students to understand the trends of the new world. The adoption of the globalization idea will have a positive impact on these aspects, as it seeks to see the world as a whole.
The changes in our world towards globalization cannot be denied, nor can the process of globalization be stopped. In order to keep up with trends and maintain a high level of the economy, it is necessary to change and adapt to new realities. While there is a risk of some erosion of different cultures, a more likely scenario will be a balance in the understanding of this world. It can be achieved through changes in education – globalization makes it more accessible and teaches holistic, systemic thinking. A new generation with unique skills and intercultural experience will be able to offer completely new ideas for the world’s development and, probably, to solve global problems.
References
Adeoye, B. F., Arome, G. (eds.) (2019) The roles of technology and globalization in educational transformation. IGI Global.
Capalbo R. (n.d.). Global education brief. 2020. Web.
Jackson, L. (2016). Globalization and education. In Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Education. Web.