Extensive listening Help discover ancient ruins — before it's too late

Sarah Parcak uses satellites orbiting hundreds of miles above Earth to uncover hidden ancient treasures buried beneath our feet. There's a lot to discover; in the Egyptian Delta alone, Parcak estimates we've excavated less than a thousandth of one percent of what's out there.

Now, with the 2016 TED Prize and an infectious enthusiasm for archaeology, she's developed an online platform called GlobalXplorer that enables anyone with an internet connection to discover unknown sites and protect what remains of our shared human inheritance.

You can read a full transcript here.

Extensive listening: Why Brexit happened — and what to do next

We are embarrassingly unaware of how divided our societies are, and Brexit grew out of a deep, unexamined divide between those that fear globalization and those that embrace it, says social scientist Alexander Betts.

How do we now address that fear as well as growing disillusionment with the political establishment, while refusing to give in to xenophobia and nationalism? Join Betts as he discusses four post-Brexit steps toward a more inclusive world.

You can read a full transcript for the talk here.

Talking point: Globalization

This week's talking point is globalization. Before getting together with the members of your conversation group, go over the questions below so that ideas flow more easily when you meet up with your friends and you can work out vocabulary problems beforehand.

In what ways do these aspects of globalization affect our everyday life?

trade - human migration - communication

What other aspects of globalization can you think of?
Do you think they have mostly positive or negative consequences? Why?
Say which of these statements on globalization you agree or disagree with. Give your reaosns.
- It benefits economies.
- It destroys local cultures.
- It harms local businesses.
- It improves communication.
- It creates inequality.
- It only benefits multinational corporations.
How do you prefer to  shop: in a small local shop, in a large department store or online? Why?
What are the advantages of shopping locally?
What are the advantages of shopping in a big box store or department store?

To illustrate the point you can watch the video Globalization Easily Explained.

Teach Unicef

TeachUNICEF is a portfolio of free global education resources. The resources cover are interdisciplinary (social studies, science, math, English/language arts, foreign/world languages).

The lesson plans, stories, and multimedia cover topics ranging from the Millennium Development Goals to Water and Sanitation.

TeachUNICEF's aim is to support and create well-informed global citizens who understand interconnectedness, respect and value diversity, have the ability to challenge injustice and inequities and take action in personally meaningful ways.

We hope that in providing engaging and academically rich materials that offer multiple voices, we can encourage the exploration of critical global issues while presenting opportunities to take action.



H/T to Free Technology for Teachers.

Talking point: Globalization and consumerism

This week's talking point deals with globalization and consumerism. Before getting together with the members of your conversation group, go over the questions below so that ideas flow more easily when you meet your friends and you can sort out vocabulary problems beforehand.

In which of the areas in the wordle does globalization have an impact?
What are the benefits and problems for each area?

• Is consumerism an epidemic in well-to-do countries?
• What do you understand by minimalism? Do you know anyone who is a minimalist?
• What will happen to the world if consumerism continues to rise in wealthy countries?
• Do you agree or disagree with this statement? “It is important to buy new things in order to keep the economy going.”
• What is economic inequality? Is it a serious problem these days?
• What do movements like The Occupy Movement - Escraches – Anonymous – Wikileaks – Peta – Femen mean to you?
• Can protests change societies or policies?
• The slogan of The Occupy Movement is ‘We are the 99%.’ What do you understand by it?
• Why might politicians be reluctant to agree with or support these movements?
• What does fair trade mean?
• What fair trade products have you seen in shop? Do you check where a product is made before buying it?
• Why are products that are made far away sometimes the least expensive?
• Is it true that many women in developing countries have no husband to support them? 
• What do critics of fair trade doubt?
• Have you heard of “fair trade universities” or “fair trade towns”? What do you think these are?
• Do you prefer to buy products from local farms and artisans than from box stores?
• What should we buy, fair-trade products or products grown locally?

To gain further insight into the topic, you can watch the video The Story of Stuff, which you can also discuss in your talking session.