This consortium project was a response to the challenges posed by growing global interdependency. Educators are particularly poised to prepare citizens with broad understandings of the world, including knowledge of systems, languages, and cultures.

The project included developing an interdisciplinary program to certify students in international education. International collaboration was supported by a framework that reflects a balance between content knowledge, research, and overseas experience. Service activities, application of technology, and collaborative inquiry were key components of student participation.

Specifically, the program sought to: 1) develop educational professionals who practice reflective inquiry; 2) promote mutual understanding between the United States and the European Union through a broad knowledge of classroom issues associated with language, culture, and country; 3) create multi-tiered opportunities for understanding social, economic, and political issues that impact educational policy in the United States and the EU; and 4) utilize and develop resources including the use of technology to facilitate exchanges of expertise and learning.

At the end of the fourth year, two rounds of participants from all partner universities have completed their certificate requirements, including coursework and the international experience. Discussions will continue to determine procedures for offering the Certificate in International Education to a larger network of institutions. Data collection from student and faculty participants and external evaluators has been completed.

ONLINE REFERENCE: 

John Kesner
Project Director
U.S. Lead

Georgia State University
P.O. Box 3978
Atlanta, GA 30302
Tel: 404-651-2584
Fax: 404-651-1495

Bo Lundahl
European Lead

Malmö Högskola
School of Teacher Education
S 205 06
Malmo
Sweden
Tel: 46 40 665 70 00
Fax: 46 40 665 81 40

George Bieger
U.S. Partner

Indiana University of
  Pennsylvania
Room 114 Davis Hall
570 S. Eleventh St.
Indiana, PA 15705
Tel: 724-357-3285
Fax: 724-357-2961

Molly Weinburgh
U.S. Partner

Texas Christian University
School of Education
P.O. Box 297900
Fort Worth, TX 76129
Tel: 817-257-6115
Fax: 817-257-7466

Bernard Bloem
European Partner

Hanzehogeschool Groningen
  (PABO)
PO Box 3109
Groningen NL 9701 DC
Netherlands
Tel: 31 50 5953504
Fax: 31 5052 76483

Jean Clarkson
European Partner

Liverpool Hope University
  College
Hope Park
Liverpool L16 9JD
United Kingdom
Tel: 44 151 291 3000
Fax: 44 151 291 3172