A. Description of the Program A global understanding course is taught in a shared virtual classroom with students and faculty at over 50 universities, in over 30 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America. Daily videoconferencing, chat, and joint student projects provide personal experience. Internet tools support partner universities anywhere in world. The course is taught in English and involves more than 2000 students each year.

B. Why We Do This In a world that is increasingly interconnected this program provides first hand, individual international experience for the overwhelming majority of university students who cannot study abroad.

C. Advantages of the Program • Multiple cultures provide culturally diverse, direct international experience for ECU and all partner students • Students develop partners and friends in 3 diverse cultures through ongoing, guided discussion • Complements traditional study abroad program and helps recruit international students • Easily expanded to discipline specific undergraduate and graduate courses and faculty research projects • Affordable and sustainable in developing international partners through use of regular internet – less than $200 USD • 2,000 students involved per year internationally

D. Essential Details • Global Understanding is a regular university course taught at ECU and is taught in Anthropology, Psychology, Sociology, Political Science, English, Communications, and Foreign Languages and Literatures • Course is taught using real time videoconferencing with 3 cultures/countries, students earn 3 semester hours • ECU meets for a 15 week semester, 3 hours/week with connections most days, 5 weeks of connections per culture • Credit/tuition: Each university enrolls students locally & teaches its own course. No money or credit changes hands. • Student partnerships are formed at the beginning of class and engage in e-contact during the course • Students journal throughout the class to record knowledge and construct a model of cultural understanding • Collaborative projects engage teams of students from other cultures/countries • Small group video discussion and live chat sessions combined with local discussions develop understanding • College life, family, cultural traditions, the meaning of life, stereotypes, etc. are discussed • Applications to the discipline are provided via lectures, discussions, and other assignments • All global partners must actively participate each academic year

E. Technology – low cost and sustainable • Connectivity – 256K minimum IP Internet connectivity • H.323 video conferencing; IRCC; Skype; Email; Wiki; and other W2 tools • 1 Windows 7 or better computer required for video conferencing • 8 computers are used for in-class, real-time partner chat

F. Medical Lecture Series • Expert medical lecturers from the ECU Brody School of Medicine • 16 Live video lectures, each offered on Tuesday at 8 AM ECU time • Lectures from a wide variety of medical areas focusing on practical applications and case studies • Live dialog between the lecturers and the worldwide audience

G. Global Academic Initiatives Beyond Global Understanding • Guest lecturers, shared course modules, shared courses offered in more than a dozen departments/disciplines ranging

from Theater and Dance to Women's Studies to Software Engineering

H. All Courses and Experiences are Provided through the Joint Efforts of All Partners and are Offered at No Cost

~For More Information Contact gpeinfo@ecu.edu ~

East Carolina University & Partners in Many Countries are Creating Global Understanding

Global Academic Initiatives

ILEP (International Lecture Exchange Project) A project that enables faculty to provide lectures to ECU, and other partners classes via video conferencing. Any GPE faculty can invite a colleague in a similar discipline to join class and give a lecture, or a module, up to 2-3 hours on a topic that is part of a normal syllabus. Frequently the classes from both institutions sit together, while at other times only the visiting lecturer is available to give the lecture to partner students. These 1-3 hour long lectures are easier to coordinate than courses considering time zone, and class time differences, etc. If the lectures work well, faculty work together to develop joint courses.

ICEP (International Course Exchange Project) A project that enables two or more faculty members at GPE Universities, to share a significant part of a course taught at each university. Live video and collaborative students projects are components of ICEP Courses.

IREP (International Research Exchange Project) A project that enables faculty members from GPE institutions to meet virtually face-to-face to discuss research interests and agendas, current research finding, and hypotheses, etc. IREP has brought research teams together saving travel time while providing face-to-face discussion.

Examples ILEP - Sample ECU Lecturers and Topics:

• Dr. Christine Russell to Vladivostok State University (Russia) - Communications

• Dr. Priti Desai to ESAN, Peru - Developing Cultural Competency: Working in India/USA

• Patch Clark, ECU to Liliana Cheneder, USIL Peru - Storybook Theatre.

• Luci Fernandes, ECU to UPR, Puerto Rico - Graduate Seminar in International Studies.

• Christine Avenarius, ECU to AJKU Pakistan - Anthropology.

• Ann Borisoff Rogers, ECU to USIL, Peru - Spanish.

• Patch Clark, ECU to USIL, Peru - Shaping Global Partners.

• Irina Swain, ECU to Vadim, TSPU, Russia - Russian Language, Culture, etc. • Jami Leibowitz and Christina Avenarius, ECU to AJKU, Pakistan - Anthropology.

• Anna Lichkovakha, VSU, Russia to class of Christine Russell - Constitutional Law of Foreign Countries, Civil Law of Foreign Countries, and Laws of the State.

• Leo Li, Beijing to class of Charles Gustina, ECU - Interior Design.

• Mariella Rosinni, ESAN, Peru to class of Priti Desai, ECU - Hispanic Identity and Peruvian Migration • Dr. Oyinlola Babatunde to Universidad Regiomontana (Mexico) - Cultural Foods – Mexico

• Dr. Luci Fernandes to Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, (Peru) - Improving Communication Across Cultures

• Dr. Oyinlola Babatunde to Faculdade de Jaguariuna (Brazil) - Cultural Foods – Brazil

• Dr. Mona Russell and Dr. Ken Wilburn to College of Safad (Israel) - Crusader Castles

• Dr. Priti Desai to ESAN University, (Peru) - Families and Cultural Diversity

• Dr. Mona Russell to Université Aboubekr Belkaid Tlemcen, (Algeria) - Islam in the Contemporary World

• Dr. Sloan Burke to Freestadt University (Germany) - Global Health Education

East Carolina University & Partners in Many Countries are Creating Global Understanding

Global Academic Initiatives

• Dr. David Lea, University of California – Santa Barbara to East Carolina University (USA); Faculdade de Jaguariuna (Brazil);Shandong University (China); Universidad Regiomontana (Mexico); University of Jammu (India) - Understanding Climate Change

• David Duke, Deputy Asst. Secretary U.S. Department of Energy to East Carolina University (USA); Faculdade de Jaguariuna(Brazil); Shandong University (China); Universidad Regiomontana (Mexico); University of Jammu (India) - Can we slow downclimate change?

• Ms. Jennifer Kurz, Outreach Director U.S. Climate Action Network to East Carolina University (USA); Faculdade de Jaguariuna(Brazil); Shandong University (China); Universidad Regiomontana (Mexico); University of Jammu (India) - Adapting to a changingclimate

• Mr. Jeff Miotke, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oceans, International Environmental and Scientific Affairs to East CarolinaUniversity (USA); Faculdade de Jaguariuna (Brazil); Shandong University (China); Universidad Regiomontana (Mexico); Universityof Jammu (India) - COP 16: Collaborating on Climate Change

• Ranjeetsinh Walunjpatil, cofounder of the Sapling Project to East Carolina University (USA); Faculdade de Jaguariuna (Brazil);Shandong University (China); Universidad Regiomontana (Mexico); University of Jammu (India) - Individual Action, GlobalImpacts

• Dr. Sloane Burke to Krasnoyarsk State Medical University With Oksana Gavrilyuk - Environmental Health• Dr. Rosina Chia and Dr. Elmer Poe to Global Education Spring Symposium, Edgecombe Community College - Benefits of Virtual

Foreign Exchange Programs: ECU’s Global Understanding Program

• Dr. Jami Leibowitz to KUFA University (Iraq) - Midnight Special: Cross Cultural Communication between Iraq and the US

• Dr. Lloyd F. Novick to Dr. Safauldean, KUFA University; Dr. Safa Aldin Salim, KUFA University and Vitalie Lisnic, InternationalStudies Moldova Medical University - BRODY MEDICAL LECTURE SERIES

ICEP: • Sloane Burke, ECU with Moldova Medical University (MMU) - HEALTH 3520.

• Bonni Boswell and Bomna Ko with Korea - EXCSS Graduate Seminar.

• Patch Clark, ECU with China, Russia, and India - Theater.• Scott Curtis, Rosana Ferreira, Global Climate Change• Dr. Rosana Ferreira, Dr. Andrew Herdman, and Dr. Bob Thompson to Universidad Regiomontana (Mexico); Shandong

University (China); Faculdade de Jaguariuna (Brazil); University of Jammu (India) - Global Climate Change

• Dr. Patricia Clark to Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola (Peru) - Storybook Theatre

• Various ECU Departments to Faculdade de Jaguariuna (Brazil) and Shandong University (China) - Intensive Innovative DesignWorkshop

• Dr. Luci Fernandes to Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola (Peru) - Communications Across Cultures

• Dr. Sloane Burke to Moldova Medical University (Moldova) - Global Health

• Dr. Patricia Clark to Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola (Peru) - Storybook Theatre

IREP: • Dr. Sloane Burke to Freestadt University (Germany) Research Article: Burke, S. Chaney, B., & Kirsten, W. (2010). “International

videoconferencing for public health education: Linking the U.S. and Germany.” American Journal of Health Education, 41(1).

• Dr. George Wang, Dr. Huanqing Lu, East Carolina University and Zhaomin Ren, University of Glamorgan, United Kingdom.Wang, G., Lu, H., and Ren, Z. (December, 2010) “Globalisation in Construction Management Education”, Journal of AppliedResearch in Higher Education Volume 2 • Number 2 • pp51–62

• Dr. Manisha Pathak-Shelat, University of Wisconsin, USA, and Dr. Niti Desai-Chopra, The M.S. University of Baroda, India,Journalism Education for Contemporary Challenges: Global Understanding Through Virtual Classroom

ILEP, ICEP, IREP

“Getting to know different people is an amazing thing… Getting into their lives, getting into their heads, seeing how they think…it’s an amazing thing.” – ECU Student

“It was the first time I took part of a video link. I’ve learned a lot about other country’s thinking, studying, doing, because it’s different from us and it is true what they say: There is another world, very different from us. I’d like to say thank you a lot for the experience you’ve given us.” – Moldova Student

“One of the many benefits of taking part in GU class is that I increased my self-confidence, which helped me to be selected to take part in a 5-week program in the USA, this coming July.” - Algeria Student

“This course can broaden our horizons. It gives us a chance to know how other people in this world live and think. Besides, we can also learn many communication skills.” – China Student

“Global Understanding, a course where you can experience and unveil mysteries of cultures all around the world, represents a step forward in creating a world without borders.” – Macedonia Student

“What impressed me the most about the connection with ECU students was how mature the students at ECU were. I did not expect that.” - Taiwan Student

“Talking to students from around the world about America helps me to understand America too. I think it is a great class for both Americans and students from other countries.” – ECU Student

For more information contact leibowitzj@ecu.edu or go to

www.ecu.edu/guclass

What are Students Saying About Global Understanding?

Teaching the Course

One faculty and one tech sup-

port person form a teaching team for the class through a well defined process to ensure suc-cess

Partners are developed and scheduled into the

course after application testing and verification

A peer based learning model provides leader-

ship opportunities for all students

“Plan to fail” protocols implemented by the

teaching teams provide continuity of instruction

Global Partners in Education

A worldwide organization of partner institu-

tions dedicated to promoting global understanding

The GPE Journal provides scholarly dissemi-

nation of global education issues

The GPE annual conference brings partners

together to share and discuss best practices

For more information visit www.thegpe.org

Other Global Academic Activities

Expert lectures around the globe

Shared units and courses

Joint multicultural research opportunities

Emerging Academic Initiatives

For more Information Contact

gpeinfo@ecu.edu

www.ecu.edu/globalinitiatives/index.cfm

Emerging Academic Initiatives

East Carolina University 252-328-9091

www.ecu.edu/globalinitiatives/index.cfm

Africa

Algeria - Université Aboubekr Belkaid Tlemcen

Egypt - Pharos University in Alexandria

Ethiopia - Jimma University • Mekelle University

The Gambia - University of The Gambia

Nigeria - Covenant University • Igbinedion University

Asia / Europe China - China Agricultural University • Shandong University • Shaanxi Normal University • Baotou Teachers College • Henan Polytechnic University • Guangdong University of Finance & Economics • China Pharmaceutical University • China University of Political Science and Law • Beijing Union University

France - University of Tours

Germany - Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University • Hochschule Heilbronn

India - The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda • University of Jammu • MATS University • St. Xavier Institute of Education • St. Aloysius College

Japan - Ryukoku University • University of Shimane

Kyrgyzstan - Kirgizistan-Turkiye Manas Universitesi

Lebanon - Lebanon International University • Modern University for Business and Science

Macedonia - University American College Skopje

Malaysia - University of Malaysia Terengganu

Moldova - Moldova Medical University

Netherlands - HAN University

Pakistan - Fatima Jinnah Women University • Azad Jammu and Kashmir University

Poland - University of Gdansk • Krosno State College • Jagiellonian University

Russian Federation - Lomonosov Moscow State University • Maritime State University • Tomsk State Pedagogical University • Ural State Pedagogical University • Vladivostok State University

Spain - Centre Especific d’Educacio a Distancia de la Comunitat Valenciana

Taiwan - Fu Jen Catholic University

Turkey - Istanbul University

United Kingdom - University of Central Lancashire

North America Mexico - Universidad Regiomontana • Universidad de Monterrey

United States - East Carolina University

South America Brazil - Association Brazil America

Chile - Universidad Mayor

Colombia - University of Rosario

Ecuador - Universidad Del Pacifico

Peru - Universidad ESAN • Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola

Africa Asia Europe

North America South America

Essential Details

Global Understanding is a credit bearing course which

“fits” into any academic program; it is taught in real time with multiple cultures

College life, family, cultural traditions, the meaning of

life, and stereotypes are discussed

Small group video discussions and live chat sessions

are held during each class. Local sessions provide understanding, global comparisons, and integration into the local curriculum

Credit / tuition: Each university enrolls students locally

& teaches the course. No tuition or credit is exchanged

Students from universities are partnered one-on-one

and work together throughout the joint sessions

Students maintain a reflective journal throughout the

class to construct a model of cultural understanding

Collaborative projects teach students how to work

productively with people from other cultures

Applications to the discipline are provided via

lectures, discussions, and other assignments

All global partners must actively participate each

academic year

n a world that is interconnected, these programs

provide first hand, individual, international experi-

ences for the overwhelming majority of students

who cannot study abroad.

he GAI Global Understanding course is taught in

a shared virtual classroom with students and

faculty from more than 50 institutions, in over 30

countries in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe, North,

and South America. Daily live video-based dialogs,

chats, and collaborative student projects provide

personal, global experiences that open student perspec-

tives about other cultures.

Advantages of the Program

Multiple cultures provide cultural diversity and direct

international experience for all students

Students develop partners and friends in diverse

cultures through ongoing, guided discussions

Complements traditional study abroad programs and

helps recruit international students

Easily expands to discipline specific undergraduate

and graduate courses and faculty research projects

GAI activities are affordable and sustainable through-

out the world by the use of regular internet tools

2,000 students around the world participate each

year

Technology

Connectivity: 256K (up and down) Internet con-

nection

Cross platform/standards-only technology used

H.323 video conference; IRC; Skype; Email;

Wiki; and other W2 tools

1 recent Windows computer is required for daily

video conference based class discussions

8 computers are used for in-class, real-time

partner chat

Cost: Internet connection; $200 for videoconfer-

ence solution

Since 2003 East Carolina University and Partners Around the World Have Created Global Understanding

~Global Academic Initiatives~

Jan-2014