Discussions

Rachel Gould EdD, Developing global competencies in adolescents through short-term international study-travel


School, Library, or Organization Name: Burlington Public Schools


Country: USA


Language: English


Target Audience: Educators, parents, administrators, students and other organizers of international study-travel for adolescents.


Short Session Description (one line): Presentation of research findings and applications concerning 62 adolescents' development of global competencies during and as a result of 10 days study-travel in China.


Full Session Description (one paragraph minimum): Short-term international study-travel is the fastest growing type of international learning experience. How to make the experience more meaningful and extend the positive effects seen in longer travels? Beginning with a discussion of what "global competencies" entail and moving into findings about the importance of student preparation, on-tour reflection, physical challenges, and post-travel de-briefings. Other important factors include how to scaffold journaling, collecting reflections via iPods, use of communication technology while traveling, and how preparation for and debriefing after an international study-travel experience can help to foster positive global competencies over time. Pre-travel coursework was conducted online or in hybrid f2f and online modules, many contained online international communication opportunities (skype, emailing, or chatting) with Chinese students. Data was gathered on my 5th trip leading student-travelers to China and fourteenth international study-travel experience with students. I would love to hear from others who are working to develop global competencies within their student-travelers through structured study-travel experiences.


Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session: http://www.pathwaystochina.org/xowiki/welcome