Globalization and education: An analysis of Italian teachers’ conceptions

Teachers occupy a pivotal position in the education of the next generation of citizens and leaders by fostering critical thinking and social awareness. To effectively fulfil this responsibility, they need a comprehensive grasp of the phenomenon of globalization to help students navigate its cultural, economic and political impacts critically. This study investigates the teachers' conceptions of globalization, analyzing responses from 269 Italian middle and high school teachers (6 % men and 94 % women). The analyses carried out identified eight primary themes related to globalization, encompassing both its positive and negative dimensions. The themes reflect a nuanced understanding of globalization's complexities and varied impacts on individuals, societies, and cultures. The findings of this study have significant implications for research and practice, encompassing the necessity for training programs that provide preservice teachers with the knowledge and pedagogical strategies necessary to address globalization-related challenges.