GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES
CAMBRIDGE IGCSE
1. INFORMATION SKILLS
1.1 PERSPECTIVES
(+5 ACTIVITIES)
WHAT A PERSPECTIVE IS?
Understanding that we might see things differently to others is key to
understanding what a PERSPECTIVE is.
Perspectives are based on personal experiences of the world and thinking about
them.
People see the world differently because experiences and ways of thinking differ.
Our views are influenced by many people, including our parents, friends and
people we admire.
DEFINITION: A perspective is a particular way of regarding something/ a certain
world view.
ACTIVITY 1.01
Consider this glass of water. Do you think is half full or half empty?
Ask your classmates what they think.
PERSPECTIVES AND VIEWPOINTS
In this section, we will explore global, national, local, cultural and personal
perspectives as well as different viewpoints within these perspectives.
KEY TERMS
GLOBAL: Relating to the whole world.
NATIONAL: Related to a particular country/common to a whole country.
LOCAL: Related to a particular community or area.
PERSONAL: Related to yourself.
VIEWPOINT: A particular attitude, perspective or way of looking at an issue.
ISSUE: An important topic or problem for discussion or debate.
COLLABORATE: Work together with others.
CULTURE: The ideas, customs, and social behaviour of a particular people or society, or a
particular group of people within a society.
OUTCOME: The final product following a period of collaboration to achieve the project aim
that shows different cultural perspectives.
EXPLANATION: Details about how the outcome meets the project aim and shows different
cultural perspectives.
ACTIVITY 1.02
Imagine you are a passenger in a car that stops at some traffic lights. As you
are waiting, this limousine pulls up at the lights. Who do you think is in the
limousine?
SHARE YOUR IDESA WITH A PARTNER. Chances are some of their ideas were
different ideas to yours: they saw it from a different perspective.
ACTIVITY 1.02 - REFLECTION
Why do you think your partner had a different perspective to you?
ACTIVITY 1.03
Imagine you are in the WILDERNESS. Close your eyes for a couple of minutes
and see the wilderness, feel it around you, smell it, and hear it.
Open your eyes and write down all the words and phrase that express what
you saw, felt, smelt and heard.
SHARE YOUR PERSPECTIVE with a partner who is from a different country to
your own (if possible).
ACTIVITY 1.03 - REFLECTION
Imagine how you might get different lists from people from different
cultures and countries. Why do you think this would be?
ACTIVITY 1.03 - REFLECTION
Imagine how you might get different lists from people from different
cultures and countries. Why do you think this would be?
DIFFERENT DEFINITIONS
You might think that certain words mean the same thing to everyone. You
would be wrong in this ASSUMPTION, which is why is important to discuss
things and ensure that you know the different perspectives on the same
thing.
ASSUMPTION: Something that is accepted as true or as certain to happen,
without proof.
ACTIVITY 1.04
Here are THREE WORDS. They are all topics in IGCSE Global Perspectives
syllabus. What do they mean to you?
WRITE DOWN A DEFINITION for each of the three words, then share your
definitions with a partner. Do they have the same as you?
1. GLOBALISATION
2. FAMILY
3. INEQUALITY
KEY TERMS
GLOBALISATION: Process by which national and regional economies,
societies, and cultures have become integrated through the global network
of trade, communication, immigration and transportation.
FAMILY: A basic social unit consisting of parents or guardians and their
children, considered as a group, whether living together or not.
INEQUALITY: The unfair situation in society when some people have more
opportunities (money, etc.) than others.
GLOBAL ISSUE = GLOBAL SOLUTION
A GLOBAL ISSUE or problem demands a GLOBAL SOLUTION.
It would not be possible to solve the global problem of climate change with
a local solution (only partially).
KEY TERMS
SOLUTION: A means of solving a problem or dealing with a difficult situation.
COURSE OF ACTION: A plan or method used for achieving a specific aim or
goal.
ACTIVITY 1.05
Look at the diamond nine grid which
ranks some of the global issues that the
world is currently facing. The most
important one from this person’s
perspective is unemployment, which is at
the top. Of equal importance underneath
are population growth and disease. The
issue this person thinks is the least
important is at the bottom (crime).
DO YOU AGREE WITH THE PRIORITIES?
Consider which of these you think will be
the most important for you over the next
20 years of your life. How might you
change the grid (the order of priority)?
UNEMPLOYMENT
POPULATION
GROWTH
LACK OF CLEAN
WATER
DISEASE
FOOD POVERTY
FUEL SHORTAGES
CRIME
MIGRATION
WAR
SUMMARY
1. It is important to understand that people might hold views that are
different from yours.
2. Having a different perspective does not mean someone is wrong.
3. Considering issues from global, national, local and personal perspectives
is a requirement for the Individual Report.
4. A global issue demands a global solution.
5. Issues are problems that need resolving.
6. Perspectives are the ways different people view the issues.