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Featured Initiatives
International Distance Learning with Jiri Stelzer, Ph.D.
About the Course
This class is a course of study investigating the major health problems in modern society, with emphasis on methods of understanding and developing lifestyle changes for longer and healthier life. The students will study information on topics such as stress management, nutrition, managing a healthy weigh, how genes affect health, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases.
*** view scenes from the videoconference ***
IP Video Conferencing and WebCT: Expanding Classrooms
This innovative Health and Wellness course uses Internet-based, video-conferencing to make real time, video/audio connections between the three campus sites: Valdosta State University in the United States, Abant Izzet Baysal University in Turkey, and Palacky University in the Czech Republic. Students are not only able to see and hear each other but through “WebCT Vista” also access course content, simultaneously participate in class discussions or work together on small group projects, and communicate via online discussion forums and email. The international video conferencing sessions are facilitated by the VSU Distance Learning Department, and are promoted by the International Student program.
Course Goals
Dr. Jiri Stelzer, Associate Professor of Kinesiology and Physical Education, College of Education developed the distance learning course in collaboration with VSU then Distance Learning Department and VSU International Programs to provide students with the opportunity to understand cultural differences in health sciences and to help them think critically about institutional racism, classism, sexism, ageism, and xenophobia. Research conducted jointly by Dr. Stelzer and faculty from the collaborating universities (Dr. Gul Sonmez, and Dr. Josef Mitas) supports the idea that students exposed to cultural differences through participatory experiences gain a clearer understanding of and appreciation for these complexities.
Connecting with NASA
As a bonus, students at the three campus sites will also have the experience of a real time NASA connection. NASA, through its LIVE (Learning through Interactive Videoconferencing Experiences) program, will conduct a seminar where students will interact during the 60-minute presentation by providing solutions to the challenging questions posed by NASA experts. In addition to the seminar, students will be afforded a virtual field trip of the NASA facility.
Streaming Video Clips
University Administrators meet
Photo Gallery
Dr. Stelzer: video conference photos