How Do Social Interactions Shape Brain Development? | Transform.Ed Briefing #106
Inside the Briefing: From exploring the ‘social’ brain to understanding its varied interpretations of the stunning visuals and traditions- finding direction for the Brain-Targeted Teaching Model
Quick Updates 🔔
🌍✨ LEADERS IN EDUCATION SPOTLIGHT
We are thrilled to announce a new initiative starting in March 2025! Keep an eye out for our exclusive Leaders in Education Spotlight, where we celebrate the remarkable impact of educators, education leaders, and thought leaders driving transformation in education. Do you have an inspiring story to share or know someone who deserves to be recognized? Nominate yourself or your inspiring colleague here.
🌍✨ GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP SCHOOLS COHORT 9: Applications Open Now!
In less than a month (Feb 01), a new cohort will begin its journey to shape future global citizens — this is perhaps the final Cohort we are offering! Don’t miss this opportunity to introduce an enriching learning experience, designed by UNESCO MGIEP, to your school or network. Recommend your school or any others in your network today!
Big Ideas 💡
Shaping Young People’s Identity as Global Citizens
By Dr. Iva Katzarska-Miller and Dr. Stephen Reysen | .ed Magazine
By Anila D’Mello | MIT McGovern Institute
Poll of the Week 📊
Poll Results from Last Week
In response to the question “Which factor do you believe has the greatest influence on a child’s ability to interact socially?” the breakdown of results are as follows:
50 percent of participants opted for ‘Peer relationships’, the other 25 percent voted for ‘Socioeconomic background’, and the rest of 25 percent chose for ‘Community and neighborhood'‘.
Would you like to discuss these results or share your thoughts in the community?
Policy Pulse 🏛
Policy Brief >> Social Neuroscience for Education
By Jean-Claude Dreher | IBE Science of Learning
This learning brief explores the social brain and how it supports social cognition (including skills like face recognition), emotional intelligence, and theory of mind. Research indicates that from altruism and fairness to envy, status, and social norms, social interactions are shaped by concerns beyond payoff maximization.
Global Events for Your Calendar 🗓
Jan 24 | FREE EVENT >> Achieve Early Literacy Success at Scale
This is an Online Event hosted by Education Week.
Jan 24 | FREE EVENT » International Education Day Webinar ‘Lifelong Learning in the Age of AI’
This is an Offsite Event hosted by Asia-Pacific Centre for Education for International Understanding (APCEIU).
Jan 27 | FREE EVENT » Effective Communication for Educators: Build Rapport, Establish Trust, and Navigate All Conversations
This is an Online Event hosted by edWeb.net
Jan 28 | FREE ENTRY » Accelerate Reading Growth in Grades 6 and Beyond
This is an Online Event hosted by Education Week
Jan 29 | FREE ENTRY » Navigating Educational Leadership in Challenging Times: Social Justice Lens
This is an Online Event hosted by Eventbrite
Jan 30 | FREE ENTRY » Science and Literacy Integration: The Science Classroom Meets the Science of Reading
This is an Online Event hosted by edWeb.net
Apr 02-04 | PAID ENTRY » Deeper Learning 2025
This is an Onsite Event by High Tech High (HTH) Graduate School of Education.
Lights, Camera, Education 🎬
Film » Good Will Hunting
The movie follows Will Hunting, a janitor at MIT who is a mathematical genius. With the guidance of a psychologist, he confronts his past, re-evaluates his present and finds direction for his future.
Documentary>> Samsara
A visually stunning, non-narrative documentary that explores how the brain reacts to human rituals and the beauty of the natural world.
Courses and Learning 🧑💻
Self-Paced Course » The Human Brain
By Massachusetts Institute of Technology (via MIT OpenCourseWare)
Books 📚
The Brain-Targeted Teaching Model for 21st-Century Schools
By Mariale Hardiman
Community Connect 💭
How do you adapt your teaching strategies to align with how the brain learns most effectively?
Share your ideas on our community post.
New to the community? Join the Global Education Union by the Global Citizenship Foundation! Get exclusive access to the latest updates, resources, and collaboration opportunities. Stay informed, connected, and equipped to shape the many futures of education.
Job Opportunities 📥
Academic Positions (University Level)
🇪🇸 Senior Technologist (Department of Physiology, Genetics & Microbiology), Universidad de Alicante, Alicante (Deadline: 24 Jan 2025)
🇦🇺 Lecturer (Initial Teacher Education), Federation University Australia, Ballarat (Deadline: 27 Jan 2025)
🇵🇱 Assistant Professor (Animation and Intermedia), University of Arts, Poznan (Deadline 07 February 2025)
🇮🇪 Lecturer/ Assistant Professor (Education), Maynooth University, Maynooth (Deadline: 16 Feb 2025)
🇩🇪 Research Assistant, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU), Mainz (Deadline 7 Feb 2025)
🇳🇱 PhD position (Legal Pluralism), Universiteit Leiden, Leiden (31 Jan 2025)
INGO/NGO Positions (Global Organizations)
🇸🇴 Chief (Child Protection), UNICEF, Mogadishu (Deadline: 24 Jan 2025)
🇾🇪 Education Officer, UNICEF, Maarib (Deadline: 24 Jan 2025)
🇸🇩 National Education Expert, UN IOM, Port Sudan (Deadline: 27 Jan 2025)
🇦🇺 Short-Term Consultant, Global Partnership Education, Canberra (Deadline: 01 Feb 2025)
🇮🇶 National Project Officer (Education), UNESCO, Baghdad (Deadline: 03 Feb 2025)
🇺🇿 Senior Project Officer (Education), UNESCO, Tashkent (Deadline: 08 Feb 2025)
School Leadership & Administrative Roles
🇰🇪 Director, International School of Kenya, Nairobi (Deadline: 10 Feb 2025)
K-12 Teaching Opportunities
🇨🇳 Teacher (Mathematics), The British International School Shanghai Puxi, Shanghai (Deadline: 28 Feb 2025)
🇸🇮 Teacher (English and Social Studies), Quality School International, Worldwide (Deadline: 28 Feb 2025)
Disclaimer: The Global Citizenship Foundation does not endorse or assume responsibility for the content, products, services, policies, or practices of external links, providers, or any third-party materials referenced in this newsletter. Please use your discretion when accessing external links or resources.
The Global Citizenship Foundation is a leading specialist international organization based in South Asia (NCR Delhi, India) and the European Union (Tallinn, Estonia). Its principal mandate is to realize the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 4 and Target 4.7 (Education for Global Citizenship and Sustainable Development). Since 2016, the GCF has impacted education in 70+ countries, striving to transform education for human and planetary flourishing.
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