This document is one of several new Web-based resources called NAFSA e-Publications. E-Publications offer special features including Web pages, downloadable and printable PDFs, and customized tools.
Zeroing in on institutional performance and the outcomes of student learning are two complementary and crucial frameworks for evaluating the results of internationalization, writes author Madeleine F. Green in a new NAFSA e-publication. Green, former vice president at American Council on Education, and current senior fellow at NAFSA and at the International Association of Universities, asserts that institutions can and should work on these frameworks simultaneously and use them to inform each other. Multiple sources of reference for this are given throughout the paper.
Measuring and assessing internationalization outcomes and impact will take on increasing importance, Green asserts, as they continue to become more central to the definition of quality in higher education teaching, research, and engagement. The challenge is for institutions to create a manageable and meaningful approach to understanding the true impact and ultimately the success of internationalization efforts.
Green contends that whatever the array of goals a given institution may choose to measure the success of its internationalization efforts, the question of whether or not those efforts are enhancing student learning should feature prominently. There is no doubt, she argues, that assessing student learning is the more challenging of the two measurement frameworks and the least rewarded in terms of prestige and rankings, but that does not negate its importance as a measure of institutional quality. The challenge is to create a measurement and analysis approach that integrates multiple dimensions, measures, and assessment tools to accurately reflect the contributions of internationalization. Green establishes a terminology for professionals both inside and outside the United States to clearly understand the complex concepts by using different units of analysis: measures, metrics, and indicators.
Notice of Liability
The information in this document is distributed on an "As is" basis, without warranty. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, neither the author(s) nor NAFSA shall have any liability to any persons nor entity with respect to any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the instruction (s) contained in this document. Please note that while NAFSA periodically checks and updates the Web site links included in this e-Publication, NAFSA cannot guarantee that every link to another institution's Web site is current.
Acceptable Use Guidelines
Electronic resources are provided for the benefit of the international education community. However, commercial use, systematic or excessive downloading, or electronic redistribution of this publication are all expressly prohibited.
© 2012 NAFSA: Association of International Educators. All rights reserved.