ERIC Number: EJ871146
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010
Pages: 7
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1932-5037
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
International Videoconferencing for Public Health Education: Linking the U.S. and Germany
Burke, Sloane C.; Chaney, Beth H.; Kirsten, Wolf
American Journal of Health Education, v41 n1 p53-59 Jan-Feb 2010
Background: Video-linking with other countries provides a low-cost vehicle for students to learn more about health issues of other cultures and reflectively discuss the public health promotion and education activities of those countries in real time. Purpose: This article presents a case study of international videoconferencing in the higher education setting. Methods: Undergraduate students enrolled in three different public health courses at East Carolina University (ECU) in Greenville, North Carolina, USA were linked with graduate students enrolled in the public health master's degree program at the Freie Universitat (FU) in Berlin, Germany for two videoconference sessions during the fall semester of 2008. A pre-post knowledge scale was administered to assess the impact of the learning modality with the student participants. Results: Utilizing this technology for fostering intercultural communication proved to be an effective method of instruction for student participants. Discussion: Intercultural communication has become a marketable skill for future public health professionals, and incorporating these communications skills into professional preparation programs provides unique learning experiences for students. Translation to Health Education Practice: Videoconferencing technology provides learners with synchronous experience for interacting with other cultures furthers understanding about global perspectives. Today, globalization introduces challenges and opportunities for health educators. Moreover, increasing communication and fostering dialogue between the future public health leaders improves knowledge levels and ideas for resource utilization. (Contains 2 tables.)
Descriptors: Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, Intercultural Communication, Health Education, Health Promotion, Health Personnel, Public Health, Global Approach, Foreign Countries, Teaching Methods, Interactive Video, Case Studies, Teleconferencing
American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. 1900 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191. Tel: 800-213-7193; Fax: 703-476-9527; e-mail: info@aahperd.org; Web site: http://www.aahperd.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Germany; North Carolina
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A