This is a brief outline of international classes networked through CAE Collaborative Support Services.
We host both national and international collaborative sessions throughout Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters, varying from a wide-range of topics.
Focusing on international: We have networked with Canada, England, France, Mexico, Chile, Brazil, Iraq, Turkey, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, South Africa, China, and so on.
Global Understandings First Year Seminar networks with the Universidad de las Americas Puebla, Mexico; Burapha University International College, Thailand; Duy Tan University, Vietnam; Chien Hsin University of Science and Technology, Taiwan; Beijing International Studies University, China; and Northeastern University, China.
Typically, students are curious of their counterparts in other countries, but for them to express those curiosities, and to engage in conversation, is another paradox. Therefore, Global U students are requested to have predetermined questions to ask.
Based on Global Understandings First Year Seminar classes, the format is composed of pre-selected topics, such as:
- College Life.
- Career Goals.
- Family Structure.
- Stereotypes.
It is important to note that Appalachian students should speak:
- Slowly.
- Clearly.
- Don't expect international students to understand what we take for granted as common language; i.e. If you mention Creole than explain Creole.
- Slang is an important part of culture, so be mindful of the international audience and clarify; this is especially helpful to many international students who may visit the United States.
On a technical standpoint, Appalachian's Collaborative Support Services are not only capable of talking about topics, but we can push any computer content across the network to illustrate the conversation to the international students.
- If an Appalachian student started discussing his/her favorite restaurant in Raleigh, then s/he could go to the front of the room and show imagines, menus, etc.
- If Appalachian students want to give a PowerPoint presentation than we can also push that across the network.
- In short, any content that can be displayed on the computer can be pushed across the network.
To build upon student engagement, I proposed developing a strategic workflow for "Engaging Students in Real-World Q&A."
The engagement workflow functions as follows:
- Prior to the start of networking Global U, students are broken into small groups and can choose, or be assigned, an area of interest on campus; Dining Hall, Gym, Student Union, Library, Residence Hall, Campus Police, etc.
- These areas will be tested for networking reliability by Collaborative Support staff - an iPad can be provided by Collaborative Support to be used by the teams.
- In conjunction with working with staff of the selected areas, the student teams work out aspects (a script) that they wish to cover.
- At the beginning of the Global U classes, Collaborative Support can bridge the student team(s) into the session and they can give a real-world tour and have live Q&A with the international students.
This is one example of how we can reach a new level of excellence by •Consulting | •Supporting | •Delivering
- Consulting: Administration, faculty, staff, and students on the proper delivery options for their request.
- Supporting: Designing strategic workflows for quality assurance.
- Delivering: Implementing workflows to ensure successful negotiation of resources to meet client satisfaction.
Now on to the next...