MU's College of Education Guidelines for International Success

Developing curricula, programs and processes

International activities focusing on planning and implementing curricula (e.g., English Language Learning), programs (e.g., a school guidance program), processes (e.g., management strategies used in conjunction with laboratory operations). The activities may be for the benefit of:

1. International organizations (e.g., K-12 schools, IHEs, government agencies)or
2. MU
3. Missouri-based organizations or,
4. the activities may be mutually beneficial

An example of curricula development program is the K-12 Partners – Taiwan.  This program is housed in the School of Information Science & Learning Technologies (SISLT) and executed by Dr. Laura Wedman who is the eThemes Project Director and eMINTS National Center, and Dr. John Wedman, Professor & Director, SISLT.
Country and Organization:         Taiwan – Multiple Schools
Time Frame:         Started Fall 2001; Ongoing
Description: A teacher development and partnership-building endeavor linking a small number of Missouri schools with partner schools in Taiwan. Internet technologies (e.g., video conferencing, blogs, websites, email, Skype) enable the schools to meet curricular goals in the context of an increasingly global environment. MU provides professional development to Taiwan school teachers.

Research and evaluating global phenomena and endeavors

International activities focusing on planning, implementing, and reporting research and evaluation endeavors, ranging from single projects to large scale agendas. The context of these activities may be in an International setting or in a local (Missouri/USA) setting using an International perspective.  A great example, is the School Violence and Safety program being investigated by Dr. Motoko Akiba from the Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis Department.
Country and Organization:         Japan – University of Tsukuba
Time Frame:         2005- 2009
Description: The project title is “School System Reforms on Teachers, Students, and Curriculum” and it is funded by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology ($100,000).  Dr. Akiba is in charge of survey study on school bullying in Japan.  The survey data were collected, and currently being analyzed

Leading and planning international collaborations

International activities in which CoE faculty, staff, and students assume leadership roles in large-scale endeavors, including such contexts as organizing conferences; serving on boards and task forces; serving as officers in International organizations; and working with International agencies.  An example of such an endeavor is the Science Education Initiative conducted by Dr. Sandra Abell from the Learning, Teaching and Curriculum Department.
Country and Organization:         Taiwan – National Pingtung University of Education
Time Frame:         November 2006
Description: Best practices research in science and mathematics teacher professional development: Listening to the voices of teachers, professional developers, and researchers. Delivered the keynote address at the International Conference of Teacher Quality in Elementary Science and Mathematics, Pingtung, Taiwan.

Educating global citizens

International activities focusing on developing the knowledge, skills, and dispositions of university faculty, staff, and students. The activities may be for the benefit of individuals at International IHE’s, MU, or both. Examples include Study Abroad programs, Faculty Exchange programs, dual-degree programs, and non-credit training events.  Dr. Norman Gysbers from the Educational School and Counseling Psychology Department has a School and Guidance Counseling program.
Country and Organization:         Hong Kong - The University of Hong Kong and the Education Bureau, Government of Hong Kong
Time Frame:         Started 2000, ongoing
Description: A program development, training, and evaluation project with the goal to install, implement, and evaluate comprehensive guidance and counseling programs in the schools of Hong Kong. The Bureau of Education has adapted the program framework developed by Norman C. Gysbers. Curriculum and training materials have been developed and evaluation instruments are being used to evaluate the program. A number of evaluation projects have been conducted and a number of reports have been published so far.

Often, there will be times that a project or program will involve multiple areas.