Our team (Mike, Nat and I), are looking at how we can make Owen more global and we have come up with the following three ideas that could accomplish the task:
1) Rosetta Stone
Subscribe each student to the Rosetta Stone’s language computer application. These interactive language resources can allow anyone to learn a new language in a short amount of time. We believe we can add this service to the Walker Library for students to use. Total costs $47,250.00 (actual quote for Vanderbilt, and is about $135 per person), and we would get access to some 20 languages.
2) Virtual Class
Have a joint virtual class with an MBA program in another country. We could host an initial virtual discussion with MBA students from schools like INSEAD, HKUST or ISB. The topic could be from a number of course or disciplines and in the format of a case analysis. We can leverage existing faculty and alumni with strong ties to each of these institutions. This idea might eventually develop into a greater collaboration for an entire course in the future.
3) Language Greeting
Declare an official “greet someone in a new language” day. This would be in the form of an official ODN posting or email to the general Owen community. Each day would require people to use the selected language to greet their fellow classmates and colleagues. We will need to build this over time so that it eventually becomes a habit and social norm for everyone to learn about a new language and culture.
Alright class, what do you think?
Great concepts guys. I am wary of the Rosetta Stone idea because although it might be feasible to install the software in Walker Library, I don't know how many domestic Owen students would actually use it in their free time...unless of course it is a requirement for a certain course.
ReplyDeleteThat was my question also...would the rosetta stone be required for domestic studetns to use? Would it be graded? How would it be tested? More importantly, how would Owen decide which language is important enough for its domestic students to learn?
ReplyDeleteI actually really like the Rosetta Stone concept - I think it would add a lot of value to our education. But I do question how best to maximize its impact. Would students be interested in spending the extra hours in the liabrary? If not, how else could you implement it?
ReplyDeleteNice thoughts. I really like the first two. The Rosetta Stone software seems affordable and it would so practical for any student traveling abroad. I could see the use of it being a requirement for students traveling with Owen to China or India. The virtual course sounds like a great idea and I am surprised it has never been done. It would be very interesting to do a case (regardless of what discipline) with students in another country. I think INSEAD courses are in English, so there would not be a language barrier.
ReplyDeleteUtilizing the Rosetta Stone is a keen idea, however I would try to create incentive programs for students to learn new languages. For example, if a student displays proficiency in learning Spanish, he or she could earn credits toward a free trip to a Spanish speaking country.
ReplyDeleteBefore implementing the Rosetta Stone, I'd try to get some idea from the faculty and students of their interest and motivation to use the program.
ReplyDeleteThe virtual course is an itneresting idea. You should see if there are other business schools that have already implemented similar courses. The University of South Carolina (which has a very good International MBA program) might be a good school to contact
It seems like a couple of your ideas take the problem "head-on". Rosetta Stone seems like a straightforward idea, but it is fairly costly (that is, you have to throw your most valuable resources at it - time and money). Also, are you and your colleagues willing to spend the time learning a new language (seeing as how few owen people take the "free" language classes offered at Vanderbilt, it seems like there is something stopping them besides access or cost.
ReplyDeleteAre there any ways you could use our sizable international population in the school to facilitate this? We normally expect the international students to assimilate - we don't encourage them to share (in a deep way) their cultures with us.
What about a required international trip?
I think your third idea is the most doable, but the second one really intrigues me and could be prototyped quickly (since we now have the distance-education system (Centra).
I really like the Virtual Class idea. I think it should be developed into a full mod case study class on international affairs of some sort. That way we will get the most exposure to international ideas. One problem I do see is the language barrier. Maybe this idea combined with the Rosetta Stone would be useful.
ReplyDeleteThe new curriculum is looking for a mandatory international trip, so that might help anyway.
ReplyDeleteMaybe talk to Pace and Talbott to incorporate learning a new greeting in a new langauge every LCOM class. That way everyone knows how to say hello in many languages. Or pick a language of the week and teach 5 of the most used phrases as part of the class.
The rosetta is expensive. ODN might get glossed over. And the virtual class is a great idea but involves resources etc. and most classes are taught in english anyway, right?
Awesome idea, good luck!
The virtual classroom is a great idea - roll it out quickly so I can participate! Many masters-level programs are developing formal relationships with similiar institutions abroad. Owen should follow suit.
ReplyDeleteI love the Rosetta stone idea, and I think the concept of taking Owen Global is feasible. As far as the virtual class, it sounds good on paper, but I think it would be tough to gain interest. Virtual classrooms in my mind would simply be two different classes. Great concept though.
ReplyDeleteI love your objective overall and I'm a huge supporter of it! However, as someone who spent time over the last two years working on finding a way to make language classes available to Owen students, I'm not sure that the Rosetta Stone will have the impact that you desire. I'd love to discuss my experience with the foreign language curriculum with you more so that I can explain further. Again, the huge investment in students' time might be the biggest constraint you face here. There might be interest, but without a requirement and proper incentives (had to say that word), I don't see this being effective.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the virtual classroom, I think that you're on to something here. I don't think that anything can subsitute interaction with other cultures when international education is involved. This forum might also present opportunities to utilize new technologies and innovations which will also benefit MBA students (and probably professors like Dave Owens).
As someone who just returned from one of the Owen sponsored international trips, I have strong feelings about the value of this type of education and the impact that it would have on students. Nothing can substitute the experience of travelling abroad and working with your teammates on a project in an unfamiliar, foreign country - so any way that you can best recreate that - or even elements of that - will be the most rewarding.
Greeting in another language is an excellent idea. At first, people might find it odd, but once a tradition, it will actually have people learning the greetings.
ReplyDeletePerhaps also consider incorporating the greetings into Blackboard (like the changing faces).
Rosetta Stone is a fantastic idea, I am only sad that I won't be here to see it be implemented. As for time and cost constraints, I personally know several students who paid $150 (likely subsidized also by the school) for non-credit, after-class Chinese lessons this mod. I am sure they would be willing to pay more for an option that offered multiple languages and could be used at any pace. This will also fit in especially well with the new international travel requirement that the faculty is mulling over for next year. I think your biggest constraint here will not be adoption but rather figuring out where to get the money...
ReplyDeleteI love the virtual class idea. It wold be great to work with students in a foreign country. It would be fun to do projects where we had to communicate ofer IM and Skype to accomplish a task.
ReplyDeleteI have to put in a vote for the Language Greeting idea as well--it's easy and has an immediate, but likely long-term, effect. To take it further, how about adding a "daily country" slide to the flat screens and ODN? It could include the country's language greeting, country and business facts, special etiquette, and even a list of Owen students from that country.
ReplyDeleteThe virtual class idea is awesome. I would think that we could set it up where we get to see each other present cases and have case discussions and it would let us learn how other people from other world views think about approaching problem solving. I know we have international students here at Owen for that reason but sometimes its easy for them as "outsiders" to subscribe to group think and not solve problems the way they would have in another environment.
ReplyDelete