Nurturing Global Problem Solvers : An Action Research Approach to Instructional Design

This chapter discusses a series of international course connections, between Lingnan University and other collaborative partners, that specifically addresses developing competencies in global problem-solving. Using the Association of American Colleges and Universities Global Learning Valid Assessment of Learning in Undergraduate Education rubric as their guide, the authors outline their incremental process of instructional design and demonstrate how such collaborations can cultivate knowledge of global systems and help promote global problem-solving. Grounded in a goal to cultivate students’ global citizenship, the authors designed a course, entitled Community Engagement Through Service-Learning, at Lingnan University in Hong Kong, which incorporates collaborative problem-solving within culturally-diverse groups. The objectives of the course are to nurture students to become aware and capable citizens through actively engaging in community-based problem-solving. Adopting an action research approach, the course has gone through three cycles of development.