Globalization and the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers

Abstract

Globalization has been perceived as a major source of influence in education in general and the work of teachers in particular (Stier, 2004). This paper sets out to discuss the impacts of globalization on teacher standards and teachers' practices in the context of Australia by raising two key arguments. First, globalization has led the Australian teacher standards to be developed in a way that emphasizes the need for global competitiveness, and consequently influenced teachers' work through the use of economic models including accountability and evidence-based practices. Second, globalization has highlighted the importance of digital literacy in teacher standards, and as a result promoted teachers' real-life practices of digital technologies integration in the classroom. The paper concludes with several implications in terms of research and practice.