Global Learning Launchpad

The Global Learning Launchpad (GLL) is a new program sponsored by The Forum on Education Abroad to encourage faculty engagement and professional development. The program targets enhancing the quality of teaching and learning in faculty-led short-term study abroad programs and to nurture faculty in their growth as educators, professionals and scholarly practitioners.

GLL participants meet monthly between January – May. The GLL is organized as a community of practice where educators inquire into their instructional practices and their concepts of teaching and learning in a collaborative setting. Together, cohort members engage with the evidence of effective faculty-led programs, learn from each other, examine their own values, purposes and commitments and then apply their insights to making tangible changes to their own short-term programs.

Important Dates

2023-24 Schedule Announced: July 15th, 2023
Applications Accepted: September 15th – November 15, 2023
Cohort Selection Notification Sent: Last week of November 2023

PROGRAM Overview - PDF

Meet the Inaugural GLL Faculty

Goals & Benefits

Program Goals & Objectives

The Global Learning Launchpad aims to:

Improve the quality of teaching and learning in faculty-led short-term programs grounded in evidence-based instructional practices and the Standards of Good Practice in Education Abroad;
Support the development of short-term programs that are both academically sound and culturally relevant.
Minimize distinctions between “academic” learning and other domains of significant learning (e.g., civic, intercultural, global, civic, professional, etc.);
Improve the design, integration and assessment of critical reflection as an engine for dialogue, mutual learning, and developmental relationships;
Cultivate a community of educators and practitioner-scholars committed to:
- examining the value-laden elements of their assumptions and practices related to teaching, learning and engagement, and
- working together to create learning experiences that are culturally responsive, developmentally appropriate and equity centered.
- staying curious and embracing a spirit of co-inquiry
- embracing a growth mindset educators and/or practitioner-scholars.
Strengthen faculty agency in documenting and communicating the impact stories of their work.

BeNEFITS For Faculty

As a GLL participant you will benefit in several ways including:

Access to a network of colleagues steeped in the Standards of Good Practice in Education Abroad and in the design and assessment of academically sound, culturally relevant and equity-centered global learning.
Access to 1:1 and small group coaching.
Increased confidence in yourself as a program leader, cultural mentor and reflective educator.
A sense of belonging to a community of educators with shared interests and concerns.
Accountability support to meet your desired professional goals, including those related to teaching and learning.
An enriched teaching portfolio to document excellence in your use of education abroad.

BENEFITS FOR INSTITUTIONS

An outsourced, cost-effective learning and mentoring community from the federally recognized Standards Development Organization for the field of education abroad.

Efficient, on-demand delivery of professional development, training and support.

Enhanced course/program designs that help to showcase the value of education abroad as a high impact educational practice.

frequently asked questions

Do I have to be at a Forum member institution to be accepted into one of the cohorts?
- Answer: No, this program is open to individuals outside the Forum Network

When does the application window open?
- Answer: The application window opens on September 15th and closes on November 15th.

What is needed for the application?
- Answer: There is an online application to complete. The application has 4 parts:
1. Background information
2. A personal statement (400-500 words) that describes their interests in global learning, their interest in the program and a teaching and learning question that they hope to address,
3. Sample teaching documents; applicants are asked to append draft copies of a syllabus, program proposal, itinerary and assignment, and
4. Scholarship consideration information.

Are there scholarships available?
- Answer: Yes, there are a limited number of scholarships available to support participation. There are four scholarships of $500 each for the virtual cohort and 4 scholarships of $750 dollars each for the hybrid cohort. We also have resources to help prospective participants to solicit sponsorship from their own institutions – see the section on this webpage called “Strategies to Get Support to Participate.”

Is there a separate application for the scholarship?
- Answer: No, this is integrated into the program application.

Are there group discounts?
- Answer: Yes, group discounts are available. Institutions that enroll 3+ educators in the program are eligible for $50 per person reduction. This discount applies to all institutions. NOTE: Individual cohorts are limited to no more than 3 individuals from the same institution. Groups may apply to be split across the virtual and hybrid cohorts.

What is needed for the application?
- Answer: There is an online application to complete. The application has 4 parts:
  - Background information
  - A personal statement (400-500 words) that describes their interests in global learning, their interest in the program and a teaching and learning question that they hope to address,
  - Sample teaching documents; applicants are asked to append draft copies of a syllabus, program proposal, itinerary and assignment, and
  - Scholarship consideration information.

What is the anticipated monthly time commitment if I participate in the GLL?
- Answer: It depends. In reality, the actual amount of time you spend on these activities depends in part on your specific objectives, your prior knowledge and experience in teaching through study abroad, as well as your work style. Monthly community meetings are 2 - 2.5 hours in length. In addition, you will need time to work through the self-paced modules, assignments and readings. On average, anticipate an additional 2-3 hours per month.

Structure & Schedule

Program Structure

Cohorts

The GLL is organized as a faculty/professional learning community. For Spring 2023, There will be two cohorts for applicants to choose from enabling participants to have a balance of flexibility, structure and accountability to achieve their teaching and learning goals.

Each cohort is limited to a maximum enrollment of 15 participants.

Virtual Cohort – All monthly meetings are held synchronously online.
Hybrid Cohort – Four of the five monthly meetings will be held synchronously online. The March 2023 meeting will consist of a full day onsite community meeting, networking and supplementary learning opportunities provided during The Forum’s Annual Conference in Seattle. Note: Attendance at the Annual meeting in Seattle is a requirement for inclusion in the hybrid cohort.

Design Elements

Learning community meetings complement asynchronous, self-directed learning modules, assignments and peer coaching drawing from the evidence base on study abroad and principles of backwards design.

Through this integrative design, participants have meaningful opportunities to learn from each other and apply their learning in real time to develop, revise and refine essential course/program materials to strengthen their academic grounding, equity-centeredness, and cultural relevance.

During the GLL expect to work on the following course/program materials:

Short term study program design
Program/Course syllabus including refined academic, program and global learning goals and objectives
Program level critical reflection strategy to guide the full course/program (before, during and after)
Sample reflection assignment, session level facilitation plan and assessment plan
Feedback strategies & facilitation techniques
Signature assessment
Assessment/Evaluation Plan
[Optional] Teaching Philosophy/Impact Statement

Schedule

The 2023 working schedule for the two cohorts is listed below. 2024 dates will be posted in August 2023.

Global Learning Launchpad
VIRTUAL Cohort Meeting Schedule
Spring 2023

Friday, January 13, 2023, 9:00 – 11:30 am EST/UTC-5:00
Friday, February 17, 2023, 9:00 – 11:00 am EST/UTC-5:00
Friday, March 31, 2023, 9:00 – 11:30 am EST/UTC-5:00
Friday, April 21, 2023, 9:00 – 11:00 am EST/UTC-5:00
Friday, May 12, 2023, 9:00 – 11:30 am EST/UTC-5:00

Global Learning Launchpad
HYBRID Meeting Schedule
Spring 2023

Thursday, January 12, 2023, 2:00 – 4:30 pm EST/UTC-5:00
Thursday, February, 16, 2023, 2:00 – 4:00 pm EST/UTC-5:00
Tuesday, March 21, 2023 - Wednesday, March 22, 2023, Full day onsite at Annual Conference
Thursday, April 20, 2023, 2:00 – 4:00 pm EST/UTC-5:00
Thursday, May 11, 2023, 2:00 – 4:30 pm EST/UTC-5:00

Culminating Products

There are two culminating assignments in the GLL:

Lightning Talk: During the final cohort meeting, cohort members lead a lightning talk (~5 min) in which they highlight a key teaching & learning question that they have been working on and changes they plan to make in light of their learning.
Course/Program Portfolio: Following the final cohort meeting, participants revise course/program materials they have worked on during the program into a portfolio, including a reflective essay where the educators link their design choices back to their guiding values and goals for teaching and learning.

Eligibility & Fees

Application & Eligibility

This program requires an application. Applications received will be reviewed for alignment between the individual's goals, those of the GLL program, as well as The Forum’s strategic priorities.

Intended Audience(s): novice or seasoned educators leading faculty-led short-term study abroad programs.

Ideal applicants will:
- Have already been actively working with their international office to develop a new course/program or have already taught their course/program at least once.
- Have a working draft of a syllabus and itinerary (new programs) and learning activities, assignments and assessments (existing programs).
- Have a teaching and learning question(s) that they are curious about, are committed to address, and are interested work through in a community environment.
- Commit to attend and be an active participant in all the monthly meetings.

The Forum has other learning opportunities and workshops to aid program directors in developing expertise in all areas of program administration and leadership as outlined in the Standards of Good Practice. For those seeking to a deep dive into these areas, check out other upcoming learning opportunities.

Additional considerations: This program focuses specifically on enhancing instructional design and facilitation, curriculum development, and learning outcomes in short-term, faculty-led education abroad programs. The GLL uses the Standards of Good Practice in Short Term Programs and related Guidelines as springboards to improve teaching and learning across all phases of a short-term program

Fees & Scholarships

Prices listed below are for 2022-2023.

Hybrid Cohort

$1500 - Individuals from Forum Network Institutions
$2000 - Individuals from institutions outside the Forum Network
Note: Price includes Annual Conference Registration

Virtual Cohort

$950 - Individuals from Forum Network Institutions
$1250 - Individuals from institutions outside the Forum Network

Not sure if your institution is a member of The Forum? Many are. Check here.

Group Discounts
Institutions that enroll 3+ educators in the program are eligible for $50 per person reduction. This discount applies to all institutions.
NOTE: Individual cohorts are limited to no more than 3 individuals from the same institution. Groups may apply to be split across the virtual and hybrid cohorts.

Scholarships – A limited number of scholarships are available.

Virtual Cohort – 4 scholarships available @ $500 per person
Hybrid Cohort – 4 scholarships available @ $750 per person.

Scholarships are awarded based on the following factors:

individual need and alignment with professional goals,
the degree to which the program expands access to education abroad [historically underrepresented groups, disciplines/professions, institutional types, etc.],
the degree to which it strengthens academic integration of education abroad into departmental curricula,
the degree to which the program furthers strategic internationalization of the department, institution or discipline.

How to apply: Requests for scholarship support are integrated into the main application.

Strategies to Get FUNDING

While GLL scholarship funds may be limited, there may be untapped sources of support that may be available at your institution/organization. The education abroad office is not the only one that may have an interest in sponsoring your participation in the GLL. Some of these include:

Faculty Administrators: Deans, department chairs and provosts
EA adjacent Offices: High Impact Practices office, internship, civic engagement or community-based learning office, student affairs office, undergraduate research offices, STEM education offices, DEI offices, etc.
Instructional Support Offices: Centers for instructional excellence

How you frame the request, and the outcomes of your work matters. These resources may help:

Strategies To Get Support & Make the Ask Downloadable PDF
Making the ask – here’s a template letter you can adapt for you context to make the ask: Getting Support_Faculty Request_Template

Be patient and keep asking. If you know of others that have successfully requested support, consider having a conversation with them to learn about their experience and approach.

Tips

Things to be mindful of as you develop your request for support:

Assume that you can be successful. It is easy to assume that the answer will always be “no,” particularly when campus budgets are shrinking and carry that mindset into the room. Administrators often are looking to engage faculty in critical initiatives. Remember, many administrators were once in your shoes! This is your opportunity to make your case and share your vision.

Know your context. Is there an aspect of your dept./school/org./institutional mission that your request aligns with? Is there a key initiative or accreditation visit on the horizon? How might your participation serve both your own interests and advance institutional goals and priorities?

Be clear on how and why this opportunity aligns with your own value commitments and career goals. How does your interest in education abroad, and participation in the program, align with who you are as an educator, a scholar, or an administrator? How will your participation further your growth and development?

Have a plan. Develop a list of potential supporters and consider what your specific request and what some of the common objectives might be. Develop responses to these. Set up a meeting with individuals on your list.

Stay the course. Don’t let one or two “no’s” discourage you. It may take several asks or approaching different administrators before you receive support.
Make sure to follow up. If your supporter says “yes” then send an email to follow up and solidify the agreement. If you receive a message of “maybe” then send an email to formalize your request and provide additional information to strengthen your request. If your supporter responds “no” or “not at this time,” send an email to thank them for their time and move on to the next individual on your list.

Questions?

Contact Mary F. Price, Director of Teaching and Learning, pricemar@forumea.org