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University of Tennessee

About ITC

Newsletter: Spring 2006

UT's QEP: Bringing Intecultural Awareness to the Classroom

by: Jerry Riehl

The University of Tennessee Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) for SACS Reaccreditation affirms the University’s commitment to international and intercultural awareness initiatives. Specifically, the QEP is designed to “improve institutional performance on behalf of internationalization and intercultural relations, and to ensure that all University of Tennessee, Knoxville undergraduates gain the knowledge, perspective, and skills necessary to succeed in today’s complex, pluralistic world.” The plan is designed to promote in under-graduates a world view that recognizes, understands, and celebrates the complexity of cultures and peoples; competence in cross-cultural communication, both domestic and international; the capacity to think critically about international and intercultural issues; the understanding that knowledge is global; and a passion for life-long global learning. To learn more about the specific recommendations outlined in the QEP, please visit the link from the Chancellor’s Web site at http://chancellor.tennessee.edu. The plan specifically tasks the Innovative Technology Center to explore ways to help faculty employ rapidly changing technology as a tool for achieving the main goal of the initiative: enhancing student learning.

A number of faculty members have already consulted the ITC for assistance with intercultural and international instructional challenges. Dr. Bonnie Callen requested assistance with an Intercultural Nursing class. She was interested in making the class more interactive and collaborative, and also wanted to make the course communication-intensive to meet the requirements for general education. The ITC worked with her to restructure assignments, develop scoring rubrics, and restructure the Online@UT course site.

Another faculty member, Dr. Dave Ostermeier, requested assis-
tance in bringing outside experts into the classroom. The ITC is working with him to create videoconference and blog opportunities. Additionally, he is interested in exploring how best to use technology to “bring the world into the classroom” by providing opportunities for students to share regular interactions with students from different countries in similar academic disciplines.

The ITC is in the process of creating a “QEP Toolkit.” The toolkit will provide faculty with technologies that can assist them with QEP-related instructional initiatives. Moreover, the toolkit will provide faculty with examples of best practices in academic disciplines. Drawing upon existing on-campus services and shareware / freeware, faculty will have access to shared blogs, shared journals, online chat, and online discussion boards. The ITC can help you find the right technology to meet your instructional needs.

The pending upgrade to the Blackboard course management system (Online@UT) will present the opportunity to display the Blackboard interface in multiple languages including Spanish, French, German, and Italian. Faculty and students will be able to view their course site interface in the language in which the class is being taught. See the included Online@UT insert for more details.

The ITC is prepared to assist as you consider ways to infuse intercultural and international perspectives into your courses. If you can dream it, we can help you make it a reality.