International and Comparative Education Commons^™

An Investigation Into A Culturally Sensitive Manner Of Teaching English As A Foreign Language, Julianna Vaught

Senior Honors Theses

How to teach English globally has continued to be a relevant topic of discussion in the field of TESL, especially how to teach in a manner that is sensitive to the various sociocultural and historical factors surrounding the English language, as well as other languages and cultures. Through an examination of the current global status of English, its historical significance, the dilemmas attached to its’ worldwide spread and dominance, and an examination of culture in language teaching, an attempt is made to codify some basic principles of culture-sensitive English teaching, as well as address the Christian position on this matter, …

Critical Complexity: A Challenge To Engage For Educators, Elizabeth Johnson

MA TESOL Collection

Education is a means of ensuring the survival of the human race. By passing on knowledge and awareness, humans attempt to craft adaptability of future generations. Adaptability allows humans to respond to unforeseen events that may challenge their survival.

Education is a process that works to achieve change and growth of the individual and the regeneration and transformation of society. The outcomes of interactions in educational systems are uncertain and emergent. Educational systems are open, adaptive, complex, dynamic and non-linear.

In the near past, reducing the complexity of natural and social phenomena has allowed the human race to simplify and …

Fostering The Concept Of Autonomy In School-Aged Children, Michelle Newcombe

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Studies show that autonomy in school-age children helps students in terms of academics and in becoming well-rounded members of the society (Bandura, 1993). This senior capstone explores how autonomy is taught successfully in Japanese schools, explains its structure, and how it can be facilitated. Through the use of literature review as well as surveys conducted with 12 Japanese exchange students and 15 Liberal Studies students, results were inconclusive and are premature to determine how the concept of autonomy is fostered in U.S school-aged children. However, the literature review found that in Japanese elementary schools, educators use the Self-Determination theory and …

Academic And Social Effects Of Waldorf Education On Elementary School Students, Christian Zepeda

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

As society becomes more critical of public education, alternative education systems are becoming more popular. The Waldorf education system, based on the philosophy of Rudolf Steiner, has increased in popularity and commonality each decade. Currently, 23 Waldorf institutions exist in California. With this increase in popularity, it is important to analyze and examine the effectiveness of this education philosophy. An examination of Waldorf education, through research and interviews of Waldorf teachers and administration, will provide parents and teachers with an understanding of its strengths and weaknesses. Ultimately, Waldorf education provides a positive environment for students, yielding positive effects but this …

Literacy Rates Analysis: An International Comparison, Macarena Arce

Economics Undergraduate Honors Theses

This paper attempts to provide a more complete reckoning of the economics of literacy rates around the world. It consists on a literature review about the economic benefits and costs of literacy rates and then it shows two econometrics models that attempt to predict literacy rates based on GDP, government expenditure, and several other independent variables.

Social Media As A Personal Learning Network For Professional Development: Teachers In International Schools Use And Perspectives, Shannon H. Doak

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Traditional professional development methods are not optimal for international school educators because of isolation, lack of funds and time to attend, disconnected content and inability to make a difference in the pedagogical approaches teachers use. The creation of online Personal Learning Networks (PLNs) has been suggested as an augment to or a replacement for traditional approaches. The purpose of this mixed methods study was three-fold: (a) to discover if international school educators are using social media for professional learning and if so, what tools they are choosing to use, (b) to discover if a relationship exists between the use of …

Bearing Witness To The Lived Experience Of Chinese Exclusion: An International Baccalaureate Inquiry Unit For Critical Literacy Through Photovoice, Wesley Schoenherr

Master's Projects and Capstones

This field project used Kurasawa (2007)'s action-theoretical framework of "modes of practice" for human rights, together with Ewald (2012)'s "Memories of Past Centuries" unit to create an outline of an inquiry unit for a Humanities course within the International Baccalaureate's MYP. As the intended students are at IB schools in Xi'an, China, bearing witness to the lived experience of Chinese Exclusion at the Angel Island Immigration Station was chosen as the content.

The Unesco Institute For Statistics Reporting Scales: Concept Note, Australian Council For Educational Research (Acer)

Monitoring Learning

Measurement of learning achievement is essential to monitor how well education systems are delivering on the promise of universal quality education. This promise is reflected in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Number 4 (Target 4.1): By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes. Goal 4 can only be meaningful if there is a shared global understanding of quality education, and relevant and effective learning. The various indicators associated with SDG Target 4.1 attempt to translate its key constructs into measurable outcomes against …

A Battle Of Values Global Trends Of Nationalism And Cosmopolitanism In Education Paradigms, James Drennen

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This report explores the global political climate around the Spring of 2018 and how it has affected educational paradigms in Costa Rica, China, Finland, and Turkey.

Pathways To Strengthen Multicultural Education. A Book Review Of Citizenship Education And Global Migration: Implications For Theory, Research, And Teaching, Isolde De Groot

Democracy & Education

The edited book Citizenship Education and Global Migration, published by the founding director of the University of Washington’s Center for Multicultural Education, James Banks, offers a rich and multivocal account of conceptual and empirical work on multicultural education in light of persistent—and perhaps intractable—issues that follow from migration movements in the history of mankind, as well as recent shifts in migration patterns. To illustrate the significance of the book, I highlight some of the theoretical frameworks that the authors adopt and some of the teacher initiatives employed within and across different contexts. As a teacher educator in citizenship and …

Developing Cultural Intelligence And Transformational Leadership Through Participation In Short-Term Study Abroad Programs, Rebecca Whitham

M.A. in Leadership Studies: Capstone Project Papers

This paper explores the concepts of cultural intelligence (CQ) and transformational leadership in the context of graduate students’ participation in short term study abroad programs offered at a small, private university. While existing literature is explored, the findings discovered through a self-conducted research study, indicate that participation in these particular programs raised levels of motivational and behavioral CQ significantly amongst participants. The author utilized a pre and post-test design to survey two programs, one that traveled to Northern Ireland and the other to Brazil. In connection with the rise of CQ, therein lies the possibility for participants to adopt characteristics …

Learning Progressions As An Inclusive Solution To Global Education Monitoring, Ray J. Adams, Jen Jackson, Ross Turner

Monitoring Learning

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) mark a welcome shift in global discussion of education, because now we are talking not only about getting children into school, but also about making sure that they are learning. At the same time, the SDGs introduce a new layer of complexity, because we need to define what quality education means in a way that is meaningful across international contexts.

This short paper describes how the development of global learning progressions provides an innovative solution, to balance the need for flexibility and consistency in global monitoring of learning.

How Can Chinese Students Success In The United States, John Peters

Asian & Asian American Studies Student Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Reducing The Constraints To School Access And Progress: Assessing The Effects Of A School Scholarship Program In Malawi, Stephen Hunsaker

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The study utilizes a causal-comparative research design to compare the educational experiences and outcomes of two student groups – those who did and those who did not receive a needs-based scholarship to attend secondary or tertiary school. We administered surveys to 89 scholarship recipients and 57 non-recipients in the Dowa, Kasungu and Lilongwe Districts of Malawi. Surveys included items to determine group differences across a range of short and medium-term outcomes, including: career aspirations, attendance rate, withdrawal rate, graduation rate, employment status, time unemployed since graduation, and employment quality (using the Tanzanian Standard Classification of Occupations). This study included students …

Students With Disabilities: Transitioning From Pk-18 To The Workplace, Cheri Beverly, Jane B. Thall

Dilemmas in Education: A Casebook for Ethical Reasoning

The case study investigates the conflict that arises when a student who has received extensive assistance and accommodation for an invisible disability throughout her education (PK-12 through graduate school) transitions to her first job. The case explores the tension between the employee and her employer.

Connecting Students From Tajikistan To The World: A Teacher's Journey, Hamadony Muzafarov

Journal of Educational Research and Innovation

Implementing English language programs for my students in Tajikistan was a dream come true that opened an endless world of possibilities to them. Without knowing the English language, it would have been impossible for them to travel both physically and virtually to see the world, and build connections with people around the world. I try to make my students believe in themselves, dream big, and follow their dreams.

Indicators Of Civic Engagement Among Lower Secondary Students, John Ainley, Wolfram Schulz, Eveline Gebhardt

Civics and Citizenship Assessment

Educational systems, school and teachers seek to prepare young people to understand the society they live in, to engage with its political and social issues and become actively involved as citizens in later adult life. There is a consensus that formal education influences the extent of adult civic engagement (Pancer, 2015). This is reflected in the fact that many countries include civic learning as a goal of school education either as a distinct subject or through several subjects (Ainley et al., 2013). More broadly, civic engagement of citizens is seen as a central characteristic of a democratic society and refers …

The International Civic And Citizenship Education Study: Extent And Variation Of Lower-Secondary Students’ Civic Knowledge, And Changes Since 2009, Julian Fraillon, Wolfram Schulz, Eveline Gebhardt

Civics and Citizenship Assessment

The IEA International Civic and Citizenship Education Study (ICCS) investigated the preparedness and preparation of young people to ‘undertake their roles as citizens in a range of countries’ (Schulz et al., 2017, p xv). ICCS 2016 is the second cycle of ICCS with the first cycle of ICCS having been completed in 2009. In ICCS, the preparedness of young people to participate is operationalized through measures of ‘students’ knowledge and understanding of civics and citizenship as well as students’ attitudes, perceptions, and activities related to civics and citizenship (Schulz et al., 2017 p 1). Students’ knowledge and understanding of civics …

Students’ Attitudes Toward Equality Opportunities, Trust In Civic Institutions And Endorsement Of Religious Influence, Wolfram Schulz, John Ainley

Civics and Citizenship Assessment

This paper will discuss ICCS 2016 results regarding students’ beliefs about issues of relevance in society. This paper focuses on four attitudinal constructs: students’ endorsement of gender equality, students’ endorsement of equal rights for all ethnic and racial groups, students’ trust in civic institutions, and students’ endorsement of the influence of religion in society (which was measured as part of an international option in which most countries participated). It describes the extent of these beliefs, changes since 2009, and its associations with student characteristics, home background and engagement variables, and factors related to civic learning at school and social interactions …

What Factors Drive Individual Misperceptions Of The Returns To Schooling In Tanzania? Some Lessons For Education Policy, Plamen Nikolov, Nursat Jimi

Economics Faculty Scholarship

Evidence on educational returns and the factors that determine the demand for schooling in developing countries is extremely scarce. Building on previous studies that show individuals underestimating the returns to schooling, we use two surveys from Tanzania to estimate both the actual and perceived schooling returns and subsequently examine what factors drive individual misperceptions regarding actual returns. Using ordinary least squares and instrumental variable methods, we find that each additional year of schooling in Tanzania increases earnings, on average, by 9 to 11 percent. We find that on average individuals underestimate returns to schooling by 74 to 79 percent and …

Social Studies/History Curricula In Ghana, Razak Dwomoh

2018 Awards for Excellence in Student Research and Creative Activity – Documents

Abstract

This research will examine how social studies developed within the curricula within Ghana. I will report this in USA and juxtapose with Ghana and other post-colonial African countries. The study assesses the quantity of the content of history as it is merged with social studies curricula, its implications on students, economy, and educational sectors in Ghana. It is noted that majority of students at tertiary levels in Ghana would find it difficult to give detail information about Ghana’s history and Ghana’s historical place in the world when probed. Six post-colonial African countries’ social studies/history curricula are examined on the …

Leadon Alliance: Empowering Alaska's Youth Through Inclusive Programming, Megan Juneau

Capstone Collection

Alliance is an annual youth conference in Alaska designed to create inclusive and multi-cultural programming for Alaskan youth and their adult mentors. Alliance is a reimagining of a program formerly known as LeadOn. While LeadOn has been successful for the last ten years at providing workshops for Alaskan youth and adults on healthy sexuality, relationships, and leadership, it will now focus on making quality content for Alaskan Natives, Immigrants, and LGBTQ+ identities in Alaska. In the development of this idea past program participants and previous program coordinators were surveyed and interviewed to collect information about how inclusivity has or has …

Beyond The Numbers: Comprehensive Internationalization At Miami University, Andres Oliver

Capstone Collection

Marketing materials for Miami University, a public doctoral university in Oxford, Ohio, frequently reference the caliber and popularity of the university’s outbound student mobility programs. With almost sixty percent of undergraduates studying abroad or away before graduation, outbound mobility has become a core element of both the Miami student experience and the university’s vision for global engagement. This study seeks to go beyond the numbers (i.e. student mobility rates) in examining whether the success of outbound student mobility programs is indicative of successful internationalization across the university as a whole. Using the American Council on Education (ACE) Center for International …

Closing The Circle: Comprehensive Study Abroad Reentry Programming In A Small Liberal Arts College, Dora Musini

Capstone Collection

In an increasingly globalized world, study abroad is growing in popularity. As a rising number of students study, work, research or simply move abroad, research by experts and practitioners has been focused on finding ways to maximize learning. An effective and wildly popular strategy adopted by most institutions is pre-departure orientation. However its counterpart, study abroad reentry, while also potentially transformative, isn’t equally widespread.

This paper describes an effort to fill this gap through the creation of a reentry program for Marlboro College, a small, liberal arts college in Marlboro, Vermont. In order to tailor the program to Marlboro students’ …

Intercultural Competency Development: A Case Study With Sit Study Abroad In Morocco, From A Trainers Lens, Amy Leap Miller

Capstone Collection

This Course-Linked Capstone in Training focuses on intercultural competency development, both of the practitioner’s own life journey and through the lens of study abroad, highlighting a Case Study with SIT Study Abroad in Morocco. This Capstone weaves together theory and practice of intercultural competence, experiential learning, social justice training, and study abroad. The practitioner’s self-analysis includes reflection of her Practicum time, as well as a timeline of her intercultural competency development, including growth areas in five categories: knowledge, skills, attitudes, awareness and language. This Capstone also reflects the journey of the practitioner’s growth as a social justice trainer and experiential …

The Implementation Of The Extreme Visa Vetting Policy And Its Effects On International Students And Scholars, Amelia Burke

Capstone Collection

The extreme visa vetting policy, or initiative, was first introduced during the 2016 presidential race by then candidate Donald Trump. During his campaign, he promised he would implement a process to more rigorously scrutinize visa applications for foreign nationals who wanted to temporarily come to the United States. After being elected president and taking office in January 2017, Trump fulfilled this promise by requiring Departments of Homeland Security and State to implement an extreme vetting process for visa applications, which is done by the creation of the extreme vetting policy. This paper presents an analysis of the extreme vetting policy …

Engaging International Transfer Students At University Of Washington Tacoma, Amber Hallberg

Capstone Collection

International student social engagement on university campuses is increasingly challenging as more students transfer from community colleges and commute from long distances. Furthermore, international student programming has traditionally viewed appropriate engagement behavior through the lens of the host campus’ cultural norms, not through the lens of the students’ native cultural attitudes and behavior. As a result, the programming is unrelatable, overlooks international students’ actual needs, and/or poorly attended. This case study at the University of Washington Tacoma, which was conducted by an international student advisor, used qualitative research methods to examine the ways in which cultural dimensions and contexts may …

Incorporating Collaborative Online International Learning (Coil) Into Study Abroad Courses: A Training Design, Michelle Esche

Capstone Collection

Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) is known as an innovative, cost-effective instructional method that promotes intercultural learning through online collaboration between faculty and students residing in different countries or locations within the context of a course. Two international faculty teaching courses in different locations typically partner to co-facilitate online collaborative activities, such as assignments, projects, presentations and discussions, between their students. COIL continues to grow as an important intercultural instruction tool in higher education as U.S. universities, and universities around the world, work to internationalize their campuses and curricula, as well as increase access to intercultural learning. At the same …

Addressing The Assumption; A Case Study On Student Motivations And Barriers To Study Second Language Abroad, Rebecca Schano

Capstone Collection

Historically, second language learning and study abroad programming have run in natural conjunction. However, in recent years there has been a slow but steady decline in the number of foreign language students in higher education who are choosing to study abroad to further their second language acquisition. This study explores this topic through a case study at Marquette University, and aims to answer the research question: What are the motivations and barriers of foreign language students to study their second language abroad? Using a student survey and in-person interviews with professionals in the field, data is collected on the most …

First Generation International Students And The 4ds Shaping The Future Of Global Student Mobility: A Comparative Report Analysis, Peggy Gesing, Chris Glass

Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education

No abstract provided.