Curious David Redux

Musings about Introducing Global Issues Into My Classroom.

Just finished a Skype session with a former student now in Nicaragua. Though I had (from time to time) been following his blog, it was nice to hear his familiar voice (and would have been even nicer if our cameras were working). How egocentric of me to assume that he had the same technological resources as I.

The world is open. I've been thinking about how to make our campus and curriculum more global. Here are some incipient thoughts about how that might de done. I'd welcome your thoughts.

• Increase awareness and use of media such as BBC News, Google News, and Newsvine.
• Incorporate Kiva into the classroom.
• Explore global views of religion, spirituality, and being.
• Tap into high quality online  or "portable" courses.
• Explore other languages.
• Capitalize on cultural universals such as music, cusine, sports, and literature.
• Reading: Let's encourage our faculty, staff, and students to read, discuss, and discover world literature. Though no substitute for reading, excellent recordings exist of introductions to world literature, world history, world religions, etc.

What suggestions do you have that are simple and cost effective?

Going Global

I'm still reflecting on some interesting ideas that emerged in a "listening session" I attended today with two other faculty colleagues concerning a proposed change in our general education program for students at Carroll. I left quite confused, but that is not atypical for me.

What is the appropriate foundation for general education in the 21rst century? Are we faculty appropriately educated for teaching in the 21rst century? What skill sets, traditions, and knowledge are as vital today as when this academic institution was founded? Can we change our general education program without intentionally changing our institutional mission? How do we avoid throwing out the baby with the bath water?

Should part of a general education be mastery of another language? If so, how does one define mastery---knowing the right phrases to allow one to travel within another country? Or should one be fluent in another culture's history, customs, idioms, national concerns, and language? Can this be achieved within the traditional four years of a college education and still allow students a traditional major? If we are interested in being more global, shouldn't we append USA to all our institutional publications?

Can internationalization be achieved through the 21rst century equivalence of international pen pals using Skype or VoiceThread? Can "mastery" be achieved through online tools alone such as Ella or Rosetta Stone?  Through BBC language acquisition in 12 weeks courses? Or by other such (free) online language learning resources?

What does is mean to globalize or internationalize a campus? How can that best be achieved? Is the best way to do so to bring international students and faculty to campus? To send our students and faculty abroad? To create communication opportunities world-wide through Internet means? To expand faculty and students' knowledge of history, cultures, international economics, and international relations? To conduct collaborative international research and learning projects? The simple answer is, "yes"

I just received an invitation to join Division 52, the Division of International Psychology. Should I join it or join the International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology? 

Which organizations do I drop out of to allow time and money for these new ones?

Ayuda me. I'm going global.

CD