Article: Internationalizing Teacher Education Programs at U.S. Colleges and Universities
The SWOT analysis is the best suited approach to help identify opportunities and problems in this article relating the intention by the Association for International Educators to Internationalize Teacher Education Programs at U.S. Colleges and Universities.
The major strengths of the proposed internationalization is that in the U.S, a number of colleges and institutions of higher learning have existing cordial relations with most international universities. Hence, the move is poised for greater success since the colleges will only be required to build on the current relations for the benefit of both students and teachers. Colleges will not have to go through the hustle of identifying potential partners in this case.
This proposal has weaknesses too. For instance, where the affected colleges do have existing relations with international universities, a third party will have to be sought and used to establish such relations (Association of International Educators, 2010). This will not only slow down the entire internalization process but also does not guarantee cordial relations. In fact, in such a case, some colleges may be forced to partner with the available universities without choice.
Opportunities for this proposed new program lie in the fact that infusing an international global mindset will subsequently propel administrators to embark on sector-wide efforts as compared to working on their own. For instance, administrators will be required to further explore alternative ways through which technology can help fast-track internalization of the same programs. In fact, technology will be the major means for establishing links and networks with other international universities (Association of International Educators, 2010).
The major and only threat here is that different states in the U.S have different international education programs and different requirements that international students must meet prior to admission in certain schools. Failure to streamline this might see the whole program grumble.
Article: Mapping Internationalization on U.S. Campuses
SWOT analysis
Although the intention by the American Council on Education to map Internationalization on U.S. Campuses might sound an interesting idea, a SWOT analysis of the same reveals potential weaknesses as well as threats.
The strength of the proposed mapping Internationalization on U.S. Campuses is that the move has been timely as this is the apt time when all efforts should be done to incorporate global issues into teaching, research and learning are collectively classified as internationalization efforts (American Council of Education, 2012). This will also be a great opportunity for the learners and staff to interact and learn from colleagues coming from different cultures and backgrounds.
Some evident weakness in the intended internalization is that more resources are required to prepare and smoothly incorporate the program in the existing curriculum. For example students need to be prepared of the challenges of intercultural interactions; universities need extra resources to accommodate international students and other related challenges.
The major opportunity for this proposal is that there is dire need for students to acquire skills and competencies that will make them compete on the economic global scenes on equal grounds. The major advantage of internalization is that it will allow multicultural interactions and application of knowledge to improve own life as well as that of the world community (American Council of Education, 2012).
The major threat to this program is there are great differences the past and current internationalization efforts. The current initiatives for instance need deeper and more elaborate planning and the universities as well as the American Council on Education must be prepared to meet all the demands to see the programs go through successfully.
References
American Council of Education (2012). Mapping Internationalization on U.S. Campuses Retrieved from https://www.acenet.edu/news-room/Documents/Mapping-Internationalizationon-US-Campuses-2012-full.pdf
Association of International Educators (2010). Internationalizing Teacher Education Programs at U.S. Colleges and Universities Retrieved from http://www.nafsa.org/uploadedfiles/nafsa_home/resource_library_assets/networks/icc/ac10_teacher_questions.pdf
