The Office of Global Learning has launched a new version of the Global Issues Gateway (GIG) Web site (http://www.gig.org). The new offerings include an online scholarly journal and an online forum to virtually connect FDU classrooms with others around the world.

“We are tremendously excited to introduce the new GIG,” said Associate Provost for Global Learning Elise Salem. “The new site is designed to be more interactive, generate more original material and better complement and showcase the University’s exceptional people and its strong global programs.”

The site now includes:

Exploring Globalization

This peer-reviewed online journal features articles, essays, interviews and book reviews on globalization. It also includes a special section on the pedagogy of teaching globalization. Walter Cummins, emeritus, English (Flor); John Becker, emeritus, English (Flor); and Joseph Chuman, philosophy (Metro), are the journal editors, and the editorial board is entirely made up of FDU faculty. They are: Katharine Bullard, history (Metro); Robert Houle, history (Flor); Khyati Joshi, education (Metro); Odysseus Makridis, philosophy (Flor); Marion McClary, biological sciences and associate director, biological sciences (Metro); Ethné Swartz, entrepreneurial studies and chair, marketing/entrepreneurship (Flor); and Peter Woolley, political science and director, PublicMind (Flor). The journal’s advisory board includes international scholars, go to http://eg.gig.org. The first issue can be accessed at http://eg.gig.org . The journal is backed by a custom-built content management system that allows for a streamlined online editorial process. Submission guidelines can be found on the site.

Leading the Global Issues Gateway (GIG) team are seated, from left, Walter Cummins, emeritus, English (Flor); John Becker, emeritus, English (Flor); Elise Salem, associate provost for global learning (Metro); and, standing from left, Mahesh Nair, senior project manager, Web development, global learning (Metro); and Joseph Chuman, philosophy (Metro).

Global Virtual Classroom (GVC)

This portal provides FDU faculty with the ability to connect their classrooms to others anywhere in the world. Building on the Global Virtual Faculty (GVF) program, the GVC enables classes to interact and collaborate online. Last semester, Krista Jenkins, political science (Flor), used the feature to connect her Introduction to Women’s Studies course to a classroom in Russia taught by Olga Antsyferova, professor/chair, comparative literature, Ivanovo State University. Jenkins noted that “the GVC provided essential tools that helped both classrooms come on board to participate in online discussions. We engaged in collaborative exercises involving film, advertising and literature analyses.” You can read more about GVC and register by visiting the site at http://gvc.gig.org .

Global Events

This archive of streaming multimedia available at http://ge.gig.org captures many of FDU’s most exciting global events. More than 80 videos are available, including most of the United Nations Pathways lectures and last year’s Symposium on Human Rights and Conflict Resolution. A keyword-based enhanced search engine enables users to quickly find videos on a wide range of global topics, and the archive will be supplemented by summary narratives and a discussion forum.

In addition, GIG will soon introduce two other sections, Communities and Global Gateway. Communities will offer a portal to portray FDU’s international activities, particularly study-abroad trips. Global Gateway will link users to a wide range of global resources on the Web.

“We are proud of the new GIG,” Salem said, “but we know this is only the beginning. As faculty, staff and students use the site and add their unique contributions, we will build something really special. This is a tool for the community, and we hope and expect the community to shape its future.”

Salem thanked the many individuals who contributed to the production of the site. She especially credited the project’s director, Mahesh Nair, senior project manager, Web development, global learning (Metro), who helped conceptualize the new edition of GIG and who designed and developed the site with the help of a team of interns. The site is equipped with the latest technological tools and features, Nair said, adding, “What we have tried to set forth is a strong technological platform through which the site can grow as more features are added.”

Those who would like to know more about the new features and get involved in the continuing expansion of the site should contact Nair at 201-692-7089 or mnair@fdu.edu.

February 2008

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Flor =
College at Florham, Madison, N.J.

Metro =
Metropolitan Campus, Teaneck, N.J.

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