G.E.T.T. Global Education Through Technology

An International Classroom Italy Ukraine Lebanon United States

Classroom Activities Topic-Based Dialogue Family Cultural Traditions Work/Meaning of Life Exchange of Lectures Text of lecture from Culture 1 Text of lecture from 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 Technology Broadband connection of 256K essential Technical support is essential Technology is affordable and sustainable Widely used H.323 standard based Chat and 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 international experience 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? 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 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 contact outside of class

Try It Yourself! Please feel free to contact us: Dr. Elizabeth Shadish – Bozena (“Bo”) Morton –