The Study on Internationalization of Learning Environment in the University in Taiwan: Perspectives from Postgraduates

• Main Authors: Chou Chia Yu, 周佳瑜
• Other Authors: 姜麗娟
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2004
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/80102288144719925797

碩士 === 臺南師範學院 === 國民教育研究所 === 92 === The Study on Internationalization of Learning Environment in the University in Taiwan: Perspectives from Postgraduates. Abstract The study aims to understand the status quo of the internationalization of learning environment of the university in Taiwan. The postgraduates from a national, comprehensive and research university are chosen as a case study. To achieve the aim, extensive literature about internationalization of higher education is reviewed to map out the interviewing schedules. Then, postgraduates of five colleges are invited to give their perspectives or comments regarding the portrait of internationalization of learning environment of their campus in five focus group interviews. The main findings of the study include: 1. On the internationalization of physical environment, the library and the Internet service are identified as internationalization among all interviewees. While interviewees from physical and natural sciences stress the equipment in the lab should achieve the international standards, those from social science and humanities stress the venues for cultural interaction. 2. On the internationalization of human environment, interviewees from chemical department can have a sense of internationalization from the interaction with foreign post-doctor researchers and their adviser. Those from social science and humanities sense internationalization from their contacts with professors and foreign students. 3. On the internationalization of curriculum and programs, while the interviewees from social science and humanities recognize their existence, but those from physical and natural sciences express that they do not strongly sense them. 4. On promoting internationalization, all interviewees think that the deans and professors, who are practicing internationally, would be more powerful than the university. Simultaneously, strengthening the internationalization of faculty is important to enhance the quality of teaching and learning. 5. Interviewees express that the influence of international scholars on campus is limited while international students are “living laboratory” in class or in the laboratory; only the number should be enlarged. 6. Interviewees’ experience about internationalization of leaning environment are multifaceted in case school more beyond the focus on the learning of English on campus. Based on the study, conclusions are drawn as follows: First, from learners’ perspectives, it’s important to integrate international dimension into physical environment, human environment, and curriculum and programs during the process of practicing internationalization of learning environment on campus. Second, it’s important to work out different strategic planning according to different needs among learners from different colleges. Third, since experiencing internationalization on campus is multifaceted, it’s important to design more programs and activities with international dimension to create abundant learning situation and atmosphere. Based on conclusions, certain suggestions about the internationalization of learning environment of higher education are proposed. Besides, suggestions on future research on “the selection of universities”, “qualification of interviewees” and “study theme” are provided for the completion of the field. Keywords: higher education, internationalization, learning environment, case study, focus group