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The Forum on Education Abroad announces a call for session and workshop proposals for the 7th Annual Forum Conference to be held at the Park Plaza Hotel in Boston, MA from April 6-8, 2011. The deadline for proposals is July 15, 2010.
The Forum conference theme, “Making the Connection: Praxis and Theory in Education Abroad,” focuses on the link between education abroad practices and the theories on which they are based. The Forum’s work as the Standards Development Organization for education abroad sits at the intersection of praxis and theory. The Standards provide a roadmap for the development of best practices that both flow from and inform the theory “behind” education abroad programs.
The conference will critically examine how and why we design, develop and manage education abroad programs, and how education abroad praxis and theory must respond to the evolving needs of societies, institutions, faculty, and students. Sound education abroad programming requires a theoretical framework that is informed by practice, and practices that are informed by theory. Understanding the vital connection between praxis and theory is essential for the future of education abroad.
Session and workshop proposals should address how praxis and theory are developed in relation to each other, and how they shape education abroad program design and outcomes. “Praxis” refers to the process by which we apply theory in the various activities of education abroad programming. Theoretical models are implemented through the education abroad practices that we design and operate. As a field primarily of practitioners, education abroad practices are highly developed and well-shared; however, over time and as practices are accepted, they are often viewed separate from their theoretical underpinnings. “Theory” encompasses the foundation of education abroad mission, goals, and curricula. Theories underlying education abroad have evolved over time, responding to developments in technology, communications, travel, economics, politics, culture, student development, and changes within academic disciplines.
The Forum encourages individual sessions that address both praxis and theory, as well as proposals for two related separate sessions, where one session focuses on praxis and one focuses on the related theory. The Forum also strongly encourages proposals that take up any of the areas of the Standards of Good Practice for Education Abroad in relation to the conference theme.
Some topical areas of interest include:
- What are best practices in applying theory in education abroad programming?
- What are the key theoretical questions the field should be asking about education abroad?
- How can innovative practices inform theories of education abroad learning?
- How have the theories underlying education abroad changed historically, and how might they change in the future?
- What theories and intellectual traditions should education abroad look toward for guidance on rethinking program designs and models?
- What do studies of education abroad outcomes tell us about our theoretical assumptions?
- What can U.S.-based education abroad professionals learn from the theoretical foundations and approaches of their international partners?
- Should the theoretical foundations that inform practice respond to recent developments in technology that have changed education abroad experiences and practices?
- Should the nature and purpose of education abroad change? If so, how?
- How should education abroad be rethought in response to theories about environmental and climate change?
- Do we need a “theoretical revolution” in education abroad? If so, what shape should it take?
- Is education abroad creating global citizens? How do we define global citizenship in the context of our education abroad theories and assumptions?
- Is education abroad fostering cross-cultural competence?
- Is the concept of “immersion” useful and compelling for education abroad?
- What do students learn and how do they learn it?
- Who are our students? How will they be different tomorrow, in a few years, and in decades to come?
- How do we evaluate the success of our theoretical models and practices?
- How have institutions or organizations adapted programming objectives and practices in the face of the recent economic crisis?
- What are effective ways for institutions and organizations to develop sound education abroad practices and theories?
The preceding suggestions are not intended to be exhaustive. All program proposals are welcome.
Format of Conference Sessions
Forum Conference sessions are known for their roundtable, discussion-oriented format that fosters collegial dialogue and a vibrant, thought-provoking exchange of ideas. While the majority of the conference sessions are expected to be in the roundtable format, the Conference Committee encourages session proposals that utilize other formats, including panel presentations and town hall meetings. Successful proposals will describe in detail how the proposed session relates to the conference theme and how it will address a critical topic in education abroad.
Pre-Conference Workshops
Pre-Conference workshops will be held on Wednesday, April 6 for a full day or half-day. Proposals need not conform to the conference theme, but should detail how the workshop will provide participants with essential knowledge or training in a critical area of education abroad. Successful proposals will relate the content of the workshop to the Forum Standards, which encompass all areas of education abroad, and provide details on facilitators, materials to be used and activities undertaken.
How to Submit a Proposal
You may download a session or workshop proposal form (in Word format) by clicking on the appropriate hyperlinks or the links in the left hand navigation column. You may also click on the following hyperlinks for a PDF version - session proposal form or workshop proposal form. Session and workshop proposals should be submitted electronically to forumeaconference@dickinson.edu.
Deadline
The deadline for conference session and pre-conference workshop proposals is Thursday, July 15, 2010, 5 pm (EST).
You may access a PDF version of the call for session proposals here.
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