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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? 
The 4 countries that have a great educational system are Finland, Korea, Singapore, and Poland. These students are learning to
think for themselves as well as learning how to preserve through work and practice resilience. In all of these countries teachers
are held to a high standard and treated well, students are told that it is their responsibility to learn, and none of these countries
heavily encourage sport participation like other countries.
 
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 affect on other
countries. 
I do believe that top performing countries are influencing other countries. Countries that are listed highest in terms of PISA
scores often times state what they are doing to produce these scores. Therefore, other countries attempt to implement these
same exact techniques that are being used in the more successful country in terms of PISA scores.
 
 
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 that countries who pay little or no attention to educating its citizens will have a negative impact on the world in the
future. I believe that education is power. If we were all educated properly and held education to higher standard as a whole
world then there would be way more developments throughout the world. Whether that is in terms of technology or in terms of
speaking to each other.

Question 4 - How does education in other countries compare to the system of education in the U.S. from your observations?
Education varies from country to country. For some countries education has absolutely no value, children will learn how to cook
and clean in some countries and nothing else. Now in other countries children will learn how to conduct experiments, read,
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write, use their intellectual mind, etc. In terms of the United States system of education we may not produce the best PISA
scores, but we definitely do provide a basic education to all of our children (or at least attempt). Looking at other countries and
noticing that a lot of countries still abide to the stereotype that girls should stay at home instead of going to school was quite
eye-opening.

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?
Some populations that are denied a good education due to their poverty state. For example, children that reside in countries
such as Somalia and Burkina Faso will at most receive education for only two years. Other countries that are currently in wars,
such as, Ukraine are unable to provide their youth population with a good education right now.

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).
We have discussed quite the number of topics in this course. I think the one thing that stuck with me the most was the ‘To
Educate a Girl’ module. This module really stuck with me because this is still a major problem in today’s world. Many of us tend
to ignore it or state that is much better, but that is not the case. Even within the education system in the United States this is still
a major problem. Young girls are constantly being told that they are not good at math because they are a women or they are not
intelligent in the STEM because they are women. I will encourage the young girls in my classroom to join math groups, to join
STEM clubs, and shut down any form of stereotype threats throughout my class.
Another topic that stuck with me is students who live in rural areas of my school district. We live in Idaho; in some portions it is
quite rural. These students often do not have access to internet or other resources that may happen to be required. I will tend to
my students needs and ask students personally (off to the side) if they have access to all resources required for my class. If they
respond no, then I will attempt to provide them with as many resources as I can to help them be successful throughout my class.
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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: Silly willy
Capital: Willy Silly

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.

The population of my country will be 20,000. I chose an extremely small number because it will be easier to manage. Less
stress.

Question 7c - Do they have access to technology (very briefly tell us about technology in your country)?
Yes, they have simple technology. Browser access, but nothing super robotic that interferes with everyday living. They will still
have cell phones and televisions.

Question 7d – Would your country be mostly rural? Urban? Suburban? A combination? Why?
My country will be a combination of suburban and rural. People can choose wherever they live. Maybe someone wants to go
camping on the weekend, but maybe others just want to live the suburban lifestyle.

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?
- I want absolutely no homework in my educational system.
- No more standardized tests.
- Teachers should be held to a high standard. In terms of being paid a reasonable salary.
- School will start at a later time for all students. 9:00 am start time.
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