Internationalizing Curriculum
Internationalizing the curriculum means preparing students to lead and work effectively in multicultural workforces, with diverse clientele, for local and international employers. They need to understand the impacts of global events on and in their workplace, and be able to act as responsible global citizens.
We can build these international and/or intercultural skills through the content or the delivery of our courses, using strategies applicable in almost any discipline, from construction, to mining, to trade and transportation, to interior design. Many BCIT faculty are already committed to internationalizing courses and programs - read why internationalization is important to them, and their students.
Some easy-to-implement examples of internationalization techniques include:
Content:
- Using a variety of nations and cultures in case studies or examples
- Using diverse first names, place names and other data in scenarios
- Talking about how your life, work, and field have been shaped by global forces or your international experiences
- Helping students identify, clarify, and evaluate their own values, and how values shape our thinking and relationships
Delivery:
- Ensuring that every person and/or group’s views are heard and considered (giving everyone a turn, seeking written input, etc.)
- Helping students learn how to work with other people who have different perspectives than they do (appreciate other views)
- Designing student teams to reflect cultural diversity, which is not necessarily visible
- Using video, Skype, Elluminate Live or wikis for guest speakers or international collaboration
- Leaving time at the end of class for students to ask questions privately
- Creating between-class online discussion forums to allow students time to formulate questions
- Using in-class assessment techniques to identify and clear up student questions or concerns
Moving beyond these simpler strategies, these select internationalization resources will help you adapt your course - you may also enjoy internationalization tips from BCIT instructors.