Student brings overseas skills to Alberta Global Forum project

By Everett Wilson

A communication and culture student will use her international experience to coordinate the University of Calgary’s first global classroom—using technologies such as web broadcasting, teleconferencing and e-learning software to link students with classes at universities in India, Denmark and Arizona.

Claire Cummings, BA’03 and an MA candidate in culture and society, will work with the Alberta Global Forum as a part of a scholarship agreement—the funds for which were donated by the U of C Alumni Association.

“It is a unique and exciting educational experiment where students will complete similar assignments, discuss ideas, collaborate on projects and give online presentations,” says David Taras, director of the Alberta Global Forum.

Cummings says she hopes the experiences and contacts made possible by the Global Classroom will encourage greater cultural sensitivity. “I see the initiative as a chance to facilitate open dialogue and mutual understanding, both locally and globally. The more everybody knows about different cultures, the better.”

After earning her BA with Distinction in Art History at the U of C, Cummings taught English as a Second Language to children and adults in Seoul, Korea. In addition to her fluent knowledge of French, Cummings learned conversational Korean while away.

“Working overseas really made me aware of the challenges of intercultural communication and drew me to problems in multiculturalism, immigration and diversity as areas of research,” she says.
For Cummings’ thesis she will research the contexts of aboriginal arts policy, funding and institutional practices in Alberta, from the perspective of practising artists in the aboriginal community. 

The Global Classroom will be integrated into courses next fall.