In pursuit of a global mindset: Toward a theory-driven pedagogy

Abstract

Despite decades of research on the global mind-set concept, no cohesive framework has emerged through which this way-of-thinking can be developed in learners, leading some to perceive the global mind-set as elusive. To move the literature forward, I propose a theory-driven pedagogy which combines insights from the extant global mind-set literature with the key tenets of transformative learning theory. On that basis, five course design principles are distilled along transformational learning phases which delineate the process through which learners can advance their ability to handle cognitive complexity and foster a cosmopolitan perspective. The importance of the learners’ agency and interdependency between learning elements is highlighted. The efficacy of this approach, which was first applied to a graduate-level course at a large North American research university in the 2021 winter semester, receives promising preliminary support. Specifically, while little difference exists across all courses in the sample with regards to quantitative scores, a qualitative text analysis of comments suggests that the course design framework generates distinct response patterns, specifically with regards to the categories of learning experience (cognitive complexity) and broadening of perspectives (cosmopolitan orientation). Implications for future research opportunities on the development of global mind-sets in practice are discussed.

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