The new concept of internationalization sounds electrifying. All the reasons , potential benefits and anticipated outcomes given to support internationalization sound very exciting. I am particularly excited with the idea that internationalization fosters understanding and appreciation of different cultures, religions, histories and governments are less likely to engage in conflict and more like to develop a greater understanding of each other. One potential benefit is heightened national and global security. In short, this benefit intertwines with the concept of diversity. Taken from a Christian perspective, it helps us to embrace a common worldview and makes me think of unity written in John 17 where Jesus invites to become one with Him and the Holy Spirit and the Father. It also reminds me of the golden rule: love your neighbor as you love yourself. Who is my neighbor? He or she can be the person next to me or the farthest person as long as we can connect and interact with the gift of technology.
On the other hand, I am thinking from an educational perspective how internationalization may impact students GPA and capacity to remain on top of their studies. With a uniform curriculum, if they can really reach this goal, how are they going to place every student on the same page? The European educational system is different from the American’s. It took me a long time to compare and understand them. Adapting to them took me even longer because the whole systems are different. How student evaluations will be done to ensure that every student received the same instructions? I believe that satisfying these needs will represent quite a challenge for internationalization.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Mission Statement
This week, I would like to comment on the importance of institutional as a challenge for Christian administrators.
As a general rule, Barr, (2000); and Martin, (1982) posit that a mission statement reveals where the institution came from, where it is heading, and how it plans to get there. This statement invited me to pause a moment to reflect the three purposes of a statement and especially on the last two. Of course, one can see in this definition, the importance of institutional mission. However, a Christian college’s mission differs from a secular college’s because the emphasis is put on redemption as seen in the Education Administration’s mission “to educate is to redeem.” Ellen G. White was a great supporter of this concept which she profoundly elaborated on in her book Education. She made clear that the purpose of education is redemption. She asserted that “The work of education and the work of redemption is one.”
What does that tell us as Christian administrators? How can we reconcile White’s broader scope of education in a secular institution with the other elements such as, goals of the institutions, its intentions, span of activities and academic offerings etc…? The law is clear regarding religious activities in a secular setting. It not permitted. This is a challenge that SDA administrators working in secular settings are dealing with. We know that education is about evangelization. We must do our best to represent Jesus in our speeches, actions and decision-makings. As SDA administrators, we are limited in these activities. However, in my humble opinion there are at least two sure ways in which we could evangelize in a secular setting by 1) through our actions and 2) based on our decisions- depending on which values they are based on.
I am inviting my classmates to add to this list if they would.
As a general rule, Barr, (2000); and Martin, (1982) posit that a mission statement reveals where the institution came from, where it is heading, and how it plans to get there. This statement invited me to pause a moment to reflect the three purposes of a statement and especially on the last two. Of course, one can see in this definition, the importance of institutional mission. However, a Christian college’s mission differs from a secular college’s because the emphasis is put on redemption as seen in the Education Administration’s mission “to educate is to redeem.” Ellen G. White was a great supporter of this concept which she profoundly elaborated on in her book Education. She made clear that the purpose of education is redemption. She asserted that “The work of education and the work of redemption is one.”
What does that tell us as Christian administrators? How can we reconcile White’s broader scope of education in a secular institution with the other elements such as, goals of the institutions, its intentions, span of activities and academic offerings etc…? The law is clear regarding religious activities in a secular setting. It not permitted. This is a challenge that SDA administrators working in secular settings are dealing with. We know that education is about evangelization. We must do our best to represent Jesus in our speeches, actions and decision-makings. As SDA administrators, we are limited in these activities. However, in my humble opinion there are at least two sure ways in which we could evangelize in a secular setting by 1) through our actions and 2) based on our decisions- depending on which values they are based on.
I am inviting my classmates to add to this list if they would.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
This week's reading
This week's reading was a refresher with the different developmental theories studied in the student development class. This time I was able to see the different developmental theories in a holistic approach. I enjoyed the way Natasha addressed the questions and she linked the case study to the theories. I also appreciate the fact that she asked the question in different angles which gives every student the oppportunity to address it. Had she not included "student" I would not have been able to participate as I do not have any issue that I could share as an educator or administrator.
On a different note, I found the reading of the theoretical resistance and the five assumptions rather thought provoking. I have dealt a lot with change resistance at home, work, church and school but I have never really paid attention to the theoretical resistance aspect. It reminds me of a former vice president that I worked with in the refugee world who did not have a bachelor degree but whow was incredibly gifted and was excellent at her work. Since she relied mostly on her expertise based on her experience, she did not support much educational theories that go against her thinking. Now I can qualify her attitude as exhibiting theoretical resistance which helped her keep her position in this rapidly evolving postmodern world. I really enjoyed the reading and I am looking toward the next.
On a different note, I found the reading of the theoretical resistance and the five assumptions rather thought provoking. I have dealt a lot with change resistance at home, work, church and school but I have never really paid attention to the theoretical resistance aspect. It reminds me of a former vice president that I worked with in the refugee world who did not have a bachelor degree but whow was incredibly gifted and was excellent at her work. Since she relied mostly on her expertise based on her experience, she did not support much educational theories that go against her thinking. Now I can qualify her attitude as exhibiting theoretical resistance which helped her keep her position in this rapidly evolving postmodern world. I really enjoyed the reading and I am looking toward the next.
Monday, September 7, 2009
My week at a glance
I had a very sick week going from one condition to another. Now I am recuperating from a flu that took all my energy away. In the midst of it, I have witnessed a mother losing her 29 year-old daughter who was not really sick. I did not know what to say to that mother. It is one thing that I did not learn in the seminary. At least I was there for her to hold her and told her that it will be alright. This trauma that I had to deal with did not help my health condition. Mentally, I felt very stressed because I could not stop thinking of my three courses, philosophical foundations which feels like an intensive course, statistics where I find myself completely lost (I missed the first lab) and this class where technology is constantly daring me. It is not that I am complaining because I am an insatiable learner and an achiever. As an achiever, I feel stressed out because I find myself in a situation where I am being controlled by the events around me.
As I was reading Natasha’s posting for the day, it felt like a devotion which is very soothing and encouraging. It helped me to build new perspectives and gear my thoughts towards hope- hope that everything will fall into place with the grace of God and a lot of efforts on my side. As I was viewing David’s hot video from Boston University, I was able to smile because I found it very refreshing and suitable for this generation. The marketing tools utilized are very relevant and capable of convincing students that they are understood and their needs can be met. Overall, I like the manner in which the class is designed (though it requires a lot of time) because it covers an array of information capable of widening our understanding of students services and equipping us to become better leaders to serve today students.
As I was reading Natasha’s posting for the day, it felt like a devotion which is very soothing and encouraging. It helped me to build new perspectives and gear my thoughts towards hope- hope that everything will fall into place with the grace of God and a lot of efforts on my side. As I was viewing David’s hot video from Boston University, I was able to smile because I found it very refreshing and suitable for this generation. The marketing tools utilized are very relevant and capable of convincing students that they are understood and their needs can be met. Overall, I like the manner in which the class is designed (though it requires a lot of time) because it covers an array of information capable of widening our understanding of students services and equipping us to become better leaders to serve today students.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Technology?
As technology is evolving I realize that I must make great efforts to keep up with it. That is the hardest thing for me. This class is giving me the opportunity to face my worst fears: be technologically involved. I am fortunate to have my 13 year-old daughter, Dana, assisting me with this blog. I hope to learn how to navigate the system alone. Who knows? I may even like it one day.
I do not undermine the importance of technology. On the contrary, I appreciate it and value it. In fact, as I was viewing the different student services today, it felt good and made me to realize that this is much better than phone calls to different offices as I did when I was in college. It also felt like we could actually do an internship while being home without having to be physically present. Maybe it is something that schools will consider in the near future.
I do not undermine the importance of technology. On the contrary, I appreciate it and value it. In fact, as I was viewing the different student services today, it felt good and made me to realize that this is much better than phone calls to different offices as I did when I was in college. It also felt like we could actually do an internship while being home without having to be physically present. Maybe it is something that schools will consider in the near future.
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