Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Information Communication Technologies (ICT) such as the internet, e-mail, blogs and social networks (like MySpace and Facebook), are redefining our commercial and social interactions in our professional and private lives. The increasing adoption of internet use is also being felt on college and university campuses through the manner in which students are choosing to use these tools in their research, learning and social interactions. Students now prefer to e-mail their instructor than scheduling time to meet with them in person. Additionally, students are relying more on ICT tools to aid in learning goals. A Pew Internet & American Life study from 2005 found that, "Nearly three-quarters (73%) of college students say they use the Internet more than the library, while only 9% said they use the library more than the Internet for information searching." (http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_College_Report.pdf).While instructors in political science, international relations/studies seek to find innovative methods to engage their students in the classroom (case studies, simulations, etc), there are also competing demands to provide an education that prepares students to have a better understand of global issues and their impact on their society.This paper will examine the issues of integrating ICT tools into traditional teaching methods to enhance existing curricula in international studies to engage students in the classroom and their role in creating learning environments that facilitate a deeper understanding of global issues by developing "global classrooms".