Global Academic Initiatives: Teaching and Research Potentials East Carolina University

Jami Leibowitz, Ph.D.Leslie Pagliari, Ph.D.

Global Academic Initiatives1

We Live In An Interconnected World

The SituationStrangers in a new culture see only what they know. Arab Proverb

We cannot build our own future without helping others to build theirs. William Clinton

Why Global Academic Initiatives / Global Understanding?

79% of U.S. population agree that college students should have a study abroad experience.Approximately 4% of U.S. college students study abroad.Approximately 2% of ECU students study abroad.100 % of students will face challenges associated with a globalized world

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What About the Other 95+%?The world is diverse - need to understandStudents info: movies and televisionStereotypes and misunderstandings aboundRisks and fears of foreign travel are real

Project Goal: use regular internet technologiesto bring international students and faculty into the same virtual classroomInternational Education and Research via a Virtual Collaborative EnvironmentPromotingDiscoveryExplorationEngagementCollaborationUnderstandingWithin and Between Cultures

7 Building Relationships since 2003Over 50 partner institutions in over 30 countries. Impacting approximately 2500 students worldwide this year.

Algeria, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, The Gambia, Germany, India, Iraq, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mexico, Moldova, Netherlands, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Poland, Russia, Spain, Taiwan, Turkey, UK, USA

Andrew Heiskell Award

Innovation in International Education9Honored with Andrew Heiskell Award for Innovation in International Education at a ceremony held at the UN.Highest US honor for international education in the US. Given by the Institute for International Education which is a component of the US State Department.This is myself, Dr. Rosina Chia, the program founder with Dr. Allan Goodman, President and CEO of IIE

OUR GOALSUse simple, widely available Internet technology to provide students an easily accessible, meaningful international experience. Create a virtual collaborative environment where students can develop a deeper, first hand understanding of other cultures and themselves.Provide an environment where students can develop the skills necessary to become global workers and citizens.Create opportunities for international collaborative research.Encourage continued international education.

Benefits to Our Students

Develop global competence and broader understanding of global perspectivesLearn to effectively communicate with people for whom English is a second languageBetter understanding of own cultureCost/time effective; minimize risks & fearsComplements study abroad programBetter job opportunities for students who have global work and communication experiences

Global Understanding CourseShared Discipline Specific CoursesCourse ModulesLecture SeriesIndividual Lecture ExchangeGlobal DiscussionsSpecial EventsResearch

Global Academic InitiativesToolsInexpensive, Sustainable & ReliableRegular Internet BasedMinimum 256K Upload and DownloadVideoconferencingStandard H.323 ProtocolChatIRC

Plan to Fail!Webconferencing

Sabameeting Wiki

Confluence Work with 3 +1 cultures over the semester for approximately 4 5 weeks each.General Education Credit in multiple disciplines (3 SCH)Facilitated student discussion.Collaborative project.Develop a better understanding of other cultures from peer students living within those cultures.Academically and Disciplinarily Independent.The CoreShared format, topics, proceduresDual StructureLink vs. Local TimeANTH 1050COMM 1050ENGL 1000*FORL 1060INTL 1050MIS 4963*POLS 1050PSYC 1070SOCI 3000*

Global Understanding CoursesDiscipline Specific Courses

Global Climate ChangeGlobal Leadership and Global EnglishCourse Modules

Youth Theatre27Medical Lecture Series

Series for medical students Various topics each semesterUniversities from Ethiopia, Moldova and Iraq attend via teleconferenceExample TopicsCardiac Physical ExaminationsType 2 DiabetesAsthmaPulmonary Vascular DiseasesAnxiety DisorderLecture ExchangesECU Mexico: The U.S. Electoral Process and the 2012 U.S. Presidential Election.Mexico ECU: The Mexican Electoral Process and the 2012 Mexican Presidential Election Nigeria ECUPatriarchy, Womens Rights and Widow Inheritance in NigeriaECU ChinaAmerican Folklore and Urban LegendsMalaysia ECUTraditional Malaysian Music and InstrumentsECU PakistanLanguage and CultureChina ECU: Public Archaeology in ChinaECU China: Public Archaeology in the U.S.ECU Poland: The Super Mother Role in India and the USPoland ECU: The Super Mother Role in Poland in the context of the EUPeru ECUPeruvian Cuisine18Global Discussions

ECU and ChileCOAD 1000 Class

Special Events

Womens Studies Panel1:09Dancing with the WorldInternational Education WeekResearch: International Collaboration

Global Partners in Education

Global Partners in Education Journal

Solutions that Meet the NeedAttitude, Behavior, and Cognitive componentsFace to face provides rich communicationMultiple cultures promote balanced viewAll countries participate - beneficial to all cultures9 years of formal assessment improves courseCost and time effective and self sustainingAdministratively independent & local standardsPlan to fail contingencies ensure ongoing class24OUR OUTCOMES

Increased intercultural communication skill.Increased intercultural awareness and competency.Increased participation in international programming.Self-awareness, confidence, personal growth, maturity, leadership, critical thinking, inquisitiveness.

Table 1: Pre- Post Course Differences

ItemsMeanPrePostGetting to know someone of another culture is an uncomfortable experience for me1.951.82I enjoy making friends with people who are different from me4.204.31I am interested in learning more about other countries and cultures4.104.32I am interested in teaching others about my country and culture4.314.40Scale: 1: Strongly Disagree; 2: Disagree; 3 Neither agree or Disagree; 4: Agree; 5: Strongly AgreeTable 2: Post Course Student OpinionItemsMeanStd. DevI enjoyed the interaction with our international partners this semester4.53.660I would like to visit one or more of the countries we linked with4.28.843A year from now I think I will still be in contact with some of the international partners I met this semester3.231.033This course has challenged me to learn new things about myself and my culture 3.94.825I am satisfied with experience in this course4.32.584I would participate in a course with a similar format again4.32.705I would recommend this course to my friends4.47.638

Scale: 1: Strongly Disagree; 2: Disagree; 3 Neither agree or Disagree; 4: Agree; 5: Strongly AgreeChallenges?CommunicationComprehensionAccentsMeaningTimingSemester ScheduleTime Zones

Different Academic GoalsDifferent StandardsTechnologyAccessProficiencyTECHNOLOGY FAILS!28TechnicalTechnical Support Provided for Each Interaction Server and Wiki Maintenance and TroubleshootingAdministrativeGU Classes: Master Scheduling, Maintaining the Core, Partner Evaluation, Program AssessmentOther GAI Activities: CoordinatingTeachingResource DevelopmentTraining / Hand-Holding

Support

Things to Think AboutWhere does this fit within your University / Program?How will you get / provide support?How will you get participants?What tools can you use?Are you willing to work in an uncertain environment?

Jami LeibowitzLeibowitzj@ecu.eduLeslie Pagliaripagliaril@ecu.edu