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EDUC 200 - SIGNATURE ASSIGNMENT

Task 1. Big Picture Questions

Question 1 – Name 4 countries that have a great educational system. Based on what you learned in this course, what are 3
similarities that these countries have in common? In other words, what are some factors that have helped these countries to
excel in the area of education? 

Four countries that have a great educational system are Finland, South Korea, Poland and Japan. These countries had a few
similarities as far as what helped them excel in this area. First, based off of the text the smartest kids in the world and how they
got that way by Amanda Ripley, it seemed that in these countries the education the teachers have is very high. Yes the teachers
went to school just like here, but these educators went through a much more rigorous process and needed more education and
experience making them extremely educated and overall knowledgeable. Another thing these countries had in common was
there drop out rates were very low. Students really didn’t drop out and these countries educators made it to where the students
didn’t really want to drop out digging into the underlying reasons behind why they would want to. These countries it also seems
take high pride in their testing. There students know and understand how important their tests are and it is those big tests that
they work so hard for. With that the competition between students to enter high schools and universities is so high that kids
sometimes spend a majority of their time studying in order to get on the right track for the right school and these tests are what
determine that and for some determine the rest of their lives.
 
Question 2 – Based on what you learned in this course, do you think the top performing countries are influencing other
countries? In other words, describe how the countries which are listed highest in terms of PISA scores are having an affect on
other countries? 

Based on what I have learned in this course, I do think the top performing countries are influencing other countries. Think about
it every country wants to be known as the best in any category and education is one of them. So being at the top of the PISA
score list shows that what you are doing is working. Countries are constantly adjusting education systems for instance the U.S in
particular implemented common core in order to make an attempt to change there performance outcomes. I also think that
seeing these top performing countries are making other countries look into how they are doing things and make adjustments so
that they could one day be at the top as well.
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Question 3 – Do you think that countries who pay little or no attention to educating its citizens can/will have a negative
impact on the world in the future? Support your answer.  

I do think countries who pay little or no attention to educating its citizens can have a negative impact on the world in the future.
One thing in particular that makes me think this is the low poverty countries. A lot of uneducated countries live in poverty. If
those countries paid more attention to educating ALL of their citizens would the poverty improve? If so that would make a large
difference in there countries. However, if countries continue to pay little or no attention on educating there citizens or continue
to do so the poverty continues to stay how it is and conditions in those areas don’t change. Another thing is these countries who
pay little to no attention are the ones that for many children they do not have access to education because of persisting
inequality and marginalization. This marginalization and inequality is what hurts the world because people are being treated
unfairly and not equally leading to less people who are uneducated and then begin to fall short in life.

Question 4 - How does education in other countries compare to the system of education in the U.S. from your observations?
Based off of my observations of other countries the education between them and the U.S. Is quite a bit different. For example
South Korea. In the book the smartest kids in the world and how they got that way by Amanda Ripley, South Korean students
slept often in class going to hagwons after school to do most of their learning. In the U.S. yes we may have after school tutors but
not to the point to where students are sleeping in class and learning more outside of school. Another thing that is different is in
some countries education is more for high income families and others tend to suffer where as in the U.S. public school is free to
all students and not something that has to be paid for unless a family wants their child to attend a school whom costs. Other
countries from my observations it seems also pay less for education compared to the U.S. even those countries who are ranked
some of the best in the country pay less than us and are still providing good quality education.

Question 5 - Name some populations that are denied a good education? For example, we all know based on experiences in
this class that women and girls are denied a good education in parts of world (sadly). What are other groups of people that
are denied a good education?
The amount of people that are denied a good education is rather sad. Some other groups that are also denied a good education
are those who are low poverty, those with disabilities, gender, those living in rural areas, race and much more. Those who live in
low poverty in some countries are unable to attend school because of cost. Those with disabilities are denied a good education
because many teachers may have a lack of training in inclusive teaching methods for these students, and there may be a lack of
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accessible schools as well as the suspension rate for these students are much higher, which leave this group uniquely vulnerable
to being denied their right to education. Gender in some countries in another one, especially women who are supposed to get
married and take care of the house instead of attending school. Those living in rural areas is another population denied a good
education, because often times a school could be too far away. In some countries those that live in those rural area are unable to
take their children to school because of distance in which they have to walk sometimes hours to get there which can be too
much on the children. Race continues to be a problem in education. In some countries what racial group you are in affects
education and creates and unequal opportunity for them.

Question 6 - Think about the things we discussed in this course – name some things you could now do differently in your
future classes because of the information learned in this course? In other words, we want you to be self-reflective (thinking
about your thinking) – tell us some things you could in your future class to make it better based on items we learned about
with regard to learning about educational systems around the world? It could be things like helping diverse learners, or
perhaps being more aware about students who may live in more rural areas of your district and don’t have access to
technology (these are just some ideas I had).

This course really made me think a lot about the education all around us and how I could make my future class better. Some
ways I learned I can do so is by having a classroom setting filled with culture and diversity and allowing my students to
understand the importance of it and be able to relate to one another. Another thing I could now do differently is incorporate
more rigor into my class. Rigor is not a bad thing but when used right I believe can lead to great success. I could also, as the
teacher, really getting to know my students find out how I can help them and understanding and being aware of where they
come from outside of school. Additionally I myself want to be as educated as I can in all areas so that I am able to the best
teacher I can be and do whatever I can to ensure all of my students learn no matter what may interfere.

(questions 7a through 7e) Let’s say that you are the ruler of your own country - think about some of the factors/conditions
that go into having a great educational system. And please have a little fun with these questions, too.

Question 7a - What would be the name of your very own country? What would be the name of the capital of your country?
Make something up! Have fun, be silly.
The name of my country would be Muchasflores. ( In Spanish that means many flowers) The capital would be Rosa (Rose) and all
of the cities would be names of flowers in all kinds of languages.
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Question 7b – What would the population be? Big or small? Come up with a number. Why would it be the size that you
choose? Would you want over 1 billion people in your country? Would you want under 1 million? Tell us why.
The population of my country would be not the largest but large at around 10 million people. I chose around 10 million because
there really is no evidence that a larger or smaller country is better as far as population and education go. Some of the top
countries in education are large and small, so where 10 million is a more median number it seemed the right choice for me.

Question 7c - Do they have access to technology (very briefly tell us about technology in your country)?
My country would have access to lots of technology. I would love for my country to be the leaders in technology and produce
some of the best out there. Technology is very helpful, when used for proper things, and I feel that if my country has access and
creates all kinds of technology we could incorporate some of it into the classroom to help students learn. I would really like my
country to have access to the best technology that would help those with disabilities. I feel that technology has been very helpful
for those people and I would love to be able to have the most options for those who may need them.

Question 7d – Would your country be mostly rural? urban? suburban? A combination? Why?
My country will be very similar to the state we live in and be a combination of all of those things. I would want a combination
because If we have rural areas that means my country will be able have farmland and produce the agriculture that we would
need for our country. I would want some suburban areas because they are an area that is not as crowded for people as a
suburban area would be and allow for my citizens to have a little more area to themselves if they don’t enjoy over populated
areas. Lastly I would want parts that are very urban, because some people like the big city feel, and urban areas because
generally a lot of jobs are available in these areas and would allow those who live in my area to be employed. These areas are
also great for innovating new and big ideas for my country.

last 4 more facts/factors that would have impact they have on your country’s educational system. In other words, think about
conditions/factors that have led to the creation of great educational systems around the world. Now, what condition/factors
would like to see in your very own country?

The first factor that would like to see in my country is equal education for ALL of my citizens. I would love to have the free public
education to where all of the students would have the same opportunities as everyone else. The second factor that I would like
to see in my country is strong rigor. It seemed in the text of the smartest kids in the world and how they got that way by Amanda
Ripley that in all of those schools rigor was a large part of it and I would like to have that as part of the education in my country
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as well. The third factor I would like to see in my country is implementing culture and diversity into learning. This would allow
the students to make greater connections with one another and increase the culture competence of the students in my
educational system. The last and fourth condition in which I want in my educational system is having a great staff of highly
qualified and effective teachers. Having good teachers is in my opinion the most important thing to have in education. A teacher
who knows how to ensure all of there students learn is key and one very important thing I would like to see in my own country.

OPTIONAL – If you would like to draw an outline of country in Word (using tools found in Word), include some clipart and/or
freehand then insert that picture of your country and place it here, please do so. This is optional of course, but I love seeing
how creative students can get! Only do this if you have some free time.

Pictured on next page.

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Rosa

Sonnenblume

Flower
Lake
Tulip Town

margherita