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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? What are some factors that have helped these countries to excel in the area
of education? 

It is hard to find a perfect education system. Even the countries that score high on the PISA test have some issues with their
country’s education policies. I would say that the four countries that have a great education system would be Finland, Poland,
Canada and China. Based on the 2018 PISA test scores China ranked number one in all sections, math, science and reading. While
researching these countries the main and most important similarity they share is high-quality teachers. These four countries
recruit only high-quality students into their teaching programs. Also, the teachers in these countries have longer student
teaching mentorships than other countries, their post graduate work is one to two years. Teachers are also highly respected in
these countries and paid well. The average salary for teachers in Canada is $74,000. Another similarity between these countries
is pre-k education. Currently 97% of children are enrolled in Poland’s pre-k programs. Poland also offers a 0 year for children to
transition from pre-k to grammar school. The main factor that has helped these countries excel in education is their view about
education. These countries place high value on education. Education is of high importance and is seen as a way to enhance one’s
life and career. Education needs to be valued in order for a country to excel in education.
 
Question 2 – Based on what you’ve learned in this course, do you think the top performing countries are influencing other
countries? Describe how the countries, which are listed highest in terms of PISA scores, are having an effect on other
countries. 

I think that the top performing countries are influencing other countries to do better within their education systems. PISA can
show countries where they stand in relation to other countries. By doing this, other countries can compare and contrast their
education systems with other countries that are doing well. Countries that score high on PISA can show what works or doesn’t
work within education systems. High ranking PISA countries are having an effect on other countries. When countries score low
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and want to improve their education systems, they put reforms in place to better their education policies. This has helped other
countries score higher on PISA tests. PISA has also shown the disparity between girls and boys, which is leading other countries
to work harder at educating females.
 
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.  

Countries that don’t value education have a huge impact on the world. There are many negative impacts attributed to lack of
education. Lack of education impedes social and economic development. There is more poverty which continually cycles from
parents to children. Education helps to reverse the effects of war and helps to break the cycle of conflict. In countries where
education is not readily available there are problems with sex and drug trafficking. There are more diseases, violence and
conflict. All these issues negatively impact the world as a whole.

Question 4 - How does education in other countries compare to the system of education in the U.S. from your observations?

The U.S. doesn’t have a horrible education system, but it also doesn’t have the best. Overall, I think the U.S. has an okay
education system but some reforms definitely need to be put into place. The U.S. needs to place higher value on education, like
South Korea. Teachers should also be paid better and treated with respect like the other countries we studied. I also think that
student teaching needs to be longer, in other countries it is one to two years. What better way to learn how to teach children;
then watching, helping and learning from a teacher with experience? I also think that the U.S. needs to do more with pre-k
schooling. Many countries have realized the importance of early education. I wish the U.S. would put more emphasize on pre-k
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 the world (sadly). What are other groups of people
that are denied a good education?

The education system in Brazil does not value education. The Philippines and The Dominican Republic received the lowest score
in the 2018 PISA test. Children refugees fleeing war and conflict are being denied education along with everything else. Religious
minorities such as Uighurs in China are denied an education. There are far too many people and populations that don’t have fair
or equal access to education and it is heartbreaking.
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Question 6 - Reflect on the topics we've discussed throughout EDUC 200 – name some things you could now do differently in
your future class because of the information learned in this course.
I want you to be self-reflective (think about your thinking) – tell me what you could do in your future class to make it better
based on items we've learned about with regard to different educational systems around the world?
It could be things like helping diverse learners, or perhaps being more aware of students who may live in rural areas of your
district and don’t have access to technology (these are just some ideas I had).

Since I’ve learned about the PISA test, I want to make sure that the assignments my students do really makes them think and I
want them to be creative with the thinking process. I will use questions that uses the Blooms Taxonomy. Knowledge,
Comprehension, Application, Analysis, Synthesis and Evaluation to make sure they understand the material. I remember so much
of the work I did in school was just busy work that really didn’t teach anything. I also want to have a help hour after school to
help any student that needs it. If they don’t have a computer at home, they can use one in my room after school. If a student
isn’t understanding the material, I can offer one on one time during the help hour. I also want to do reading homework. If the
student reads a half hour at home 5 nights a week, they will get a prize on Friday. The Smartest Kids in the World and how they
got that way, explains the importance of children reading at home. I have always read to my kids before bed but since I started
school I’ve gotten out of the habit. Now I have them reading with me again, not every night, but we will get there again.

My Country
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(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.

Country – Wonderland
Capital - Cheshire

Question 7b – What would the population of your country be? Big or small? Come up with a number. Why did you choose
that number? For example, would you want an incredibly large population, say over 1 billion or perhaps you want a very small
population, under 1 million? Tell me why you chose the population size you decided up.

Population – One Million.

I don’t want it too big or too small. Too many people effects resources. Too few people doesn’t allow for diversity and
acceptance. I want to offer universal health care, with too many people that would be difficult.

Question 7c - Do they have access to technology (very briefly tell us about technology in your country)?

Technology – Yes.
There is internet and T.V. We will have iPhones but no Facebook to spread false propaganda and violence against others.

Question 7d – Would your country be mostly rural? Urban? Suburban? A combination? Why?

It will be a combination. There will be rural parts for agriculture. There will be cities but most people will live in a suburban area
so people can enjoy some nature, greenery and space.

Question 7e- Come up with at least 4 more facts/factors that would have an impact on your country’s educational system.
Think about conditions/factors that have led to the creation of great educational systems around the world. Now, what
condition/factors would you like to see in your very own country?

Education will have high value in my country.

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Teachers will have a high-quality education and at least one year of mentorship with an experienced teacher. They will also be
paid well and respected.
Pre-k will be offered to all children starting at three years old and it will be public and free.
We will have an outlined curriculum, so kids aren’t being taught the same thing over each year such as fractions in math. We will
do a deep dive in subjects until it is mastered then move to the next element, instead of just an overview of a bunch of different
material.

OPTIONAL – Draw an outline of the country.

Wonderland –
We’re All Mad Here
Looking
Glass Cliffs
Alice Caves

Cheshire
Mad
Hatter Rabbit Plains
Forest
Caterpillar City
Red Queen
Peninsula

Jabberwocky
Cove
White
Rabbit
Bay
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