Internationalization
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Bringing Theory to Life Through International Experiential Learning
Summary: Discover how international experiential learning bridges theory and practice, offering students immersive experiences that enrich their education and global understanding. Dive into real-world learning! Date of publishing: April 1, 2024 The University of Saskatchewan’s taught abroad courses aim to transform theoretical knowledge into tangible experiences (this is a form of experiential learning). In Dr. Kirsten Fisher’s 300-level Political Studies course, students explored transitional justice through onsite interactions with governmental, non-governmental, and community organizations in Uganda. This was possible because of Dr. Fisher’s research in these communities and existing relationships. This demonstrates the efficacy of the teacher-scholar model to align what we research with what we teach. This immersive approach to…
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To Be What the World Needs, We Need to Bring the World Into the Classroom
Summary: Bring global perspectives into your classroom! Learn how integrating diverse viewpoints can enrich learning and prepare students for a connected world. Date of publishing: November 14, 2023 The global lockdown of 2020 showed us that learning doesn’t require desks and a lectern. If the activities could be done in isolation (listening, reading, answering test questions), then why should students opt into classroom learning? Yet, there is immense value in gathering and interacting with each other. Thus, what we choose to do in these classroom spaces matters. Educators can contextualize their disciplines and helps students make meaning of their developing knowledge and skills by bringing external thoughts, processes, and contexts…
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Collaborative Online International Learning – and Teaching!
by Monica del Valle, MSc (Marketing), USask. Monica was a Teaching Assistant for multiple COIL projects from 2021 to 2023. “Experience is the hardest kind of teacher. It gives you the test first and the lesson afterward.” – Oscar Wilde I started my MSc in Marketing in September 2021 and even before my program began, both my Associate Dean, Dr. Marjorie Delbaere, and Department Head, Dr. Maureen Bourassa thought of me due to my Latin American background and professional experience, to collaborate in an international educational initiative planned at the Edwards School of Business. Throughout my career, I have worked and connected with culturally diverse groups, as…
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USask spaces that flex with the type of learning
Many USask classrooms have been designed with one thing in mind – successful transmission of information from the faculty member to the students. Even as technologies changed over time, that model did not – we just added screens, data projectors for our slideshows, and cameras and microphones to capture a lecture. Current theories of learning tell us that people learn some things well by hearing about them, but they need to pair that with talking to others about it, practicing and getting feedback, and actively doing for most types of learning. We are now designing flexible classrooms that can do each of these types of learning in a sequence, all…
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Initiating Peer Conversations
It’s been a while since I wrote a conversational blog post – in a pre-pandemic world, more of our content on this site was first-person and took the tone of a friendly colleague. In the pandemic context, our blog quickly became a knowledge base to help you get the help you needed, when you needed it. The dropping temperatures in Saskatchewan are reminding me of last winter, when work felt like a much different place. While most of us aren’t currently walking, biking, skiing to campus, the days are still just as beautiful with the crystalline quality of light and crisp skies. I hope that this post is a moment…
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Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL)
Summary: Explore how Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) connects students globally, fostering intercultural skills and collaboration through innovative virtual partnerships. Date of publishing: October 5, 2020 Like with other methods of internationalization, Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) projects help to prepare students to work in today’s global knowledge economy and enriches teaching and learning experience for faculty and students. One of the main benefits of COIL is that it provides students with a global learning experience without the need to leave Canada. Hear what students have to say about participating in online experiential learning from home. To participate in a Collaborative Online International Learning experience, a USask instructor works with…
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Inclusive Teaching Strategies: Reflecting on Your Practice
Summary: How do you engage with students? How do students see themselves in the content of your course? How are students expected to engage with each other? Date: August 30, 2024 Here are some strategies compiled from the University of Michigan with permission. Which ones do you do already? Which ones might you try? Instructor-Student Interactions Learn and use students’ names they choose to be called. Clarify how you want students to address you, especially if you teach students from a range of educational and cultural backgrounds. Distribute a student background questionnaire early in the term to learn about students’ experience with the course topics, educational background, professional ambitions,…
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Internationalization of Teaching & Learning : Featured Instructor
Dr Lucy R. Hinnie Postdoctoral Fellow Lucy is a postdoctoral fellow in the department of English and completed her PhD at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. In her work, she looks at written text through the frame of intersectionality, interrogating the accepted ‘canon’ of white male scholars and looking to find relevance to every student, regardless of their background. She has a desire to strengthen her teaching practice and do better by all of her students. She took the internationalization short course because she has a desire to strengthen her teaching practice and do better by all of her students, especially those who face difficulties in what is perceived to…
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Internationalization of Teaching and Learning : Featured Instructor
Jocelyn Peltier-Huntley, M. Sc., P. Eng. Lecturer, College of Engineering Jocelyn is a professional mechanical engineer. Her research is around understanding the gender gap in the Canadian mining industry. At a personal level, she wants to see positive change happen to move towards equity within our society. As an instructor of engineering design and communications, and as a professional, she feels it is vitally important to know how to understand and work with stakeholders who may be from a variety of backgrounds and have different ways of knowing. Successful internationalization allows for all people to be fully included and empowered… She took the internationalization short course to improve her teaching…
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How do I internationalize my course?
Self-reflection Step 1: Know my position and privilege. Who am I as a teacher? (This idea isn’t new, check out this article from 1958: Teacher, Know Thyself) Step 2: Does the way I design my course plan for access and diversity? Step 3: Do I want to “add-on”, “infuse”, or “transform” my course through internationalization? Some direction If you are working on step 3, there is an excellent resource of teaching tips here: Strategies for Course Internationalization. Centre for Teaching Excellence, University of Waterloo. A simple way to start internationalization is to add assigned readings from international perspectives. This can be a way to start conversations and look for similarities and…