Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology instructor Diba Mani, Ph.D., successfully internationalized her APK 4115 “Neuromuscular Aspects of Exercise” class. Here’s a bit about this process.
“Given the coursework demanded in most STEM programs, including those at UF, students majoring in only a STEM degree program are typically not able to take many (sometimes any!) courses that expose them to cultures or countries. However, global engagement at the undergraduate level can instill skills and experiences that our students will need to succeed in their careers. Especially in our current climate, it is vital that we promote well-roundedness in our students and ourselves, which includes awareness of other perspectives.”
Developing the Activity
Prior to the start of the semester, Diba reached out to researchers from around the world who had authored an original research paper on a topic relevant to course content. Each researcher agreed to a virtual interview with a small group of students at some time during the upcoming semester. After reading and dissecting their assigned paper, students emailed their researcher to schedule a video interview. In the video interview, students asked questions they had prepared regarding the content within the paper they’d read, academia abroad, and the researcher’s own background. To culminate the project, students presented a summary on the research paper and shared key aspects of their interview with their classmates. These presentations were successful both when given in-person on campus and virtually via Zoom, following the transition online due to the emergence of COVID-19 in the U.S.
Feedback
At the end of the semester, all the researchers noted that their group of students were respectful and that they would participate again. When students were asked if the interview successfully added an aspect on culture and internationalization to the course, 79% said “definitely yes” and 21% said “probably yes." This method of active learning and internationalization helped meet three student learning objectives linked to broad competencies in global awareness and intercultural communication, as described by the UF Quality Enhancement Plan.
This course is an International Scholars Program course. The International Scholars Program (ISP) is an exciting campus-wide opportunity available to all degree-seeking undergraduate students. It represents an avenue to structure their global learning experience through the completion of international coursework, international experience, language learning and co-curricular activities.
Diba will be presenting additional findings from her internationalization efforts at the CALS Teaching Enhancement Symposium in August 2020.