Examination of an Innovative Solution for Internationalizing the Curriculum Through Online Study Abroad

Abstract

As we move further into the twenty-first century, businesses continue to seek employees with global experience and intercultural competence, but the reality is that many students are unable to gain this experience through study abroad programs for a variety of reasons. The purpose of this study was to determine if there is value in using web conferencing technology to provide students with access to international learning activities or ways to internationalize the curriculum for students who are unable to travel abroad. This formative case evaluation is the first in a series of iterative studies aimed at developing a viable, sustainable, technology-based solution through design-based research. The Online Learning • There continues to be a need for exploration of alternative solutions for travel abroad. What this paper adds:• The study sets up a design-based process to develop a model that may provide students access to live study abroad activities in the field without requiring travel.• The paper evaluates a unique interactive design for delivering instruction via web conference technology that has possible benefits as an alternative to study abroad constraints.• Qualitative results reveal high levels of student and instructor satisfaction with the web conferencing-based model along with indications of learning effectiveness for online participants. Impact and implications for practice:• This paper describes an effective alternative that could be implemented by institutions of higher learning as a sustainable solution for internationalizing the curriculum. • Through this model, communication, web conferencing, and other technologies provide the capacity to create interactive international experiences at a much more economical value.• The results of this case study indicate that while the immersive experience of traditional study abroad programs cannot be replicated, there is value in providing international activities using web conferencing technology, which also has its own set of benefits for students unable to travel.• The findings also include a list of recommendations for improvement that may be implemented and re-evaluated in a series of iterative designbased studies aimed at improving and refining the model. Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article

A Formative Case Evaluation for the Design of an Online Delivery Model Providing Access to Study Abroad Activities

“…This formative case evaluation is the second in a series of iterative studies where the recommendations of the previous study are implemented and then evaluated. Based on Howard and Gunter's (2017) study with a global health management course in Brazil, the methodology was replicated in this study with the addition of a pre/post global citizenship assessment to address potential learning outcomes in a more formal class structure.…”

“…In a follow-up study that employed the same technology to broadcast from India, Kenny and Gunter (2015) found that the additional use of the text chat feature during the live broadcast appeared to increase student engagement and their sense of social presence. Howard and Gunter (2017) then initiated a series of formative case evaluations to develop a more cost-effective delivery mechanism for providing similar live broadcasts from the field with interactive chat. Advances in mobile technology now allow educators to take instruction outside of the classroom to facilitate learning in creative delivery methods with sound instructional strategies (Sung, Chang, & Liu, 2016).…”

“…Advances in mobile technology now allow educators to take instruction outside of the classroom to facilitate learning in creative delivery methods with sound instructional strategies (Sung, Chang, & Liu, 2016). As a result, Howard and Gunter (2017) found that a valuable international learning experience could be provided to students online in the U.S. by connecting them with their peers on a traditional study abroad trip through web conferencing tools like Adobe Connect.…”

“…The purpose of this study is to continue the cyclical, design-based research started by Howard and Gunter (2017) to refine and further develop the web conferencing based delivery of internationally-focused instruction through a series of case evaluations. Three guiding questions drove this formative case evaluation: (1) Did the program accomplish its goals?…”

“…Building upon the findings of Howard and Gunter's (2017) initial exploratory program using Adobe Connect, this evaluative case study is intended to further refine a technology-based model that expands student access to high-impact international experiences by connecting students in the U.S. with their peers, instructors, and experts abroad.…”