Center for Engaged Learning releases statement on integrating global learning

The Statement on Integrating Global Learning with the University Experience: Higher-Impact Study Abroad and Off-Campus Domestic Study is now available for free download.

Created by participants in the 2015-17 Center for Engaged Learning research seminar on integrating global learning, the statement highlights key findings from multi-institutional research on high-impact study abroad and off-campus domestic study.

The statement notes specific working principles about global learning, based on findings from five multi-institutional teams’ research. The working principles are:

• Global learning is a lifelong developmental process that transcends location and bounded experiences.

• A consistent, campuswide definition of global learning facilitates cohesive institutional practice.

• The process of global learning requires intentional, explicit, integrative, and increasingly complex practice.

• Quality, intentionally constructed global learning can lead to change regardless of setting.

• Effective educators should take into account how learners’ prior global experiences impact learning in subsequent opportunities.

• Educators are themselves global learners and also benefit from intentional facilitation and support at all phases of their teaching and learning.

• Ultimately, multiple, scaled, and varied integrative global learning benefits learners and institutions.

Enabling practices are also presented in the statement, including ways to develop global learning competencies for off-campus contexts.

Twenty-five scholars from multiple institutions in the United States and Canada participated in the 2015-2017 research seminar. Seminar leaders included Mick Vande Berg, Neal Sobania, and Elon’s Nina Namaste, Associate Professor of Spanish, and Amanda Sturgill, Associate Professor of Communications. Other participants from Elon included Mike Carignan, Sarah Glasco, and Prudence Layne.

For questions about the research seminar or the Center for Engaged Learning, contact Jessie L. Moore, Director of CEL, at jmoore28@elon.edu.