November 8, 2013 - 7:11am
What happens when you mix a Vancouver Island University Geography class with international students studying English as a second language?
“Absolute magic,” according to VIU Geography professor Dr. Pam Shaw.
Students in Shaw’s Geographic Communications class are unveiling a collaborative mapping project next week (Tuesday and Thursday) and they are excited to show the public what they have created.
“This is the first time we have tried anything like this at VIU,” says Shaw.
Students in Shaw’s Geographic Communications class worked all semester with students in three English as a Second Language classes taught by instructors Mary Jane McLaughlin and Liz Astill. They created a computerized map of the world – or what Shaw calls “VIU’s view of the world.”
“In its history, VIU has enrolled students from 127 different nations, so this project was a perfect opportunity for my Geographic Communications class to use a mapping project to communicate with people from all over the world,” says Shaw.
“We have used Google Earth as our base layer,” she explains. “Ultimately, this product could be used on a SMART Board or computer. The user could enable the layers on the screen and learn about the incredible diversity of VIU students from around the world.”
International students from three ESL classes were filmed saying ‘hello’ in their respective languages, and interviewed about why they came to VIU and their first impressions when they arrived in Nanaimo.
Geography students incorporated the film clips into various layers of the computerized map of the world. “They worked through a series of technical issues – which was no small feat – to make this happen,” says Shaw.
The layers include places the international students have lived, their favourite places around the world, their favourite foods, and myths and legends from their homeland.
“The layering options are infinite,” says Shaw. “We can add all kinds of information at a later date to showcase more information about the students and where they are from.”
An added bonus are the lasting friendships that have developed between Shaw’s Geography students and international students.
“That’s a wonderful spin-off of this project,” Shaw says. “Many of the students have become friends. They are now engaging in social activities together in the community.”
“My students have really benefited from the interaction with the Canadian students who have included them in all parts of this exciting project in a very natural and friendly way,” says Liz Astill, who teaches ESL classes at VIU.
Dr. Graham Pike, Dean of International Education at VIU, says that when international students and Canadian students work together on meaningful projects, they learn the subject matter and have a chance to see the world through each other’s eyes.
“VIU actively encourages this type of collaborative work,” says Pike. “The partnership between the English Language Centre and the Geography Department is an inspiring model for where we want to go in the future.”
Interested members of the public are invited to the unveiling at VIU’s Nanaimo campus, Building 300, Royal Arbutus Room, 9 am Tuesday, Nov. 12 and 9 am Thursday, Nov. 14 as part of VIU’s week-long International Education Week celebration. Refreshments will be available.
For more information about other International Education Week activities, go to http://www.viu.ca/iew/
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Media Contact
Janina Stajic, Manager, Vancouver Island University P: 250.740.6288
E: Communications@viu.ca Twitter: @VIUNews
Tags: In the Community
