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G.E.T.T.G.E.T.T.Global Education
Through Technology
An International Classroom
ItalyUkraine
Lebanon United States
Classroom Activities
Topic-Based DialogueFamily
Cultural Traditions
Work/Meaning of Life Exchange of Lectures
Text of lecturefrom
Culture 1
Text of lecturefrom
Culture 2
Classroom Activities
Advance consideration of:
Different semester start dates
Matching classes by time zone
Working with activity rotations:
Students move from live video to chat
“Plan B” in case of technology failure
A dynamic relation between four cultures
Benefits of this Model
Multiple viewpoints assure balance among institutions
Students are exposed to truly global perspectives
Video-conferencing is the next best thing to travel!
Enables institutional networks for future collaboration
Benefits of this Model
User-friendly TechnologyBroadband connection
of 256K essential
Technical support is essential
Technology is affordable and sustainable
Widely used H.323 standard based
Chat and email support is (almost) always available
Extensions of the Model
Topic-Oriented dialogue – input from other countries on a specific issue/topic in a course.
Guest Lectures (national or international)
Core: an internationalexperience through
Interpersonal dialogue
Occasional Shared Readings and Assignments
Study Abroad Pre-travel Orientation
Co-development of a course which fully integrates international partnership(s)
Curriculum Integration – Your Institution
• Coordinate courses with international components
• Develop international components of current courses (develop or connect)– A region of interest to particular disciplines– A topic of interest in a particular discipline
• Most challenging - develop new courses
Curriculum Integration
Faculty-driven at the individual course level
• Course partnerships are very flexible– economics with political science– child development with sociology
• The goal is a substantial contribution of an international perspective to selected content
A Sociology Connection
Curriculum Integration
• Cultural exchange and content coverage should be balanced
• Provide materials that can be shared
• Professor lecture notes/powerpoints
• References to news sites/cultural resources/your own online materials
• Class connections beyond the classroom
• Pictures? http://s69.photobucket.com/albums/i72/projectpoland_2006
• Encourage dialogue beyond a focus on the US
What Makes This Happen:Technical Support
Of course, this whole project relies on successful technology and “tech support.”
Firewall – There must be a way to open systems to video-conferencing.
Broadband – There must be a minimum bandwidth for successful connections
What We Learned – Challenges
• More work for faculty than expected: many lectures to accommodate different student groups; incorporation of new delivery and/or content in regular classes; etc.
• Multiple groups must be consulted for project success (initial contact, test connections, faculty consultation, etc.).
• Problems (technical, political, logistical, etc) are to be expected!
• Negotiating time zones and different university calendars was sometimes difficult.
What We Learned – Rewards
• Everybody wants to do this! You can count on your partners.
• Personal connections inspire faculty as well as students and can lead to further collaboration.
• The excitement of being part of a budding international educational community.
• The model is adaptable to other goals/visions.
What Worked for Us
• Keeping in regular email contact with international colleagues
• Sharing paper copies of all lectures• Early distribution of student handouts clearly
defining:– A typical class session– Assignment expectations– Student responsibilities to partners– Intercultural and videoconferencing communication
issues
• Early establishment of student partnerships
More of What Worked
• Prepared questions to initiate discussions
• Prepared ways of connecting course content to student’s lives and experiences– Selection of content– Structure of discussions– Types of assignments
• Encouraging student email contact outside of class
Try It Yourself!Try It Yourself!
Please feel free to contact us:
Dr. Elizabeth Shadish – [email protected]
Bozena (“Bo”) Morton – [email protected]
