Teaching INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS in the Global Classroom

Abstract

Until recently, participating in a class at Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations required a visit to Ithaca, New York, not a very convenient location for most people. Now, via distance learning technology, people from around the globe can take part in the ILR classroom experience.This opportunity is the result of a new ILR certificate program in global industrial relations and human resources management. The program, a sequence of IR and HRM courses with a transnational focus, provides access to Cornell faculty and students in an interactive learning environment that transcends geographic borders. Courses are conducted via videoconference, so students at each site meet and exchange information synchronously. Outside class, students in different locations share ideas and work on team projects by using the course web page, discussion boards, e-mail, and chat rooms.So far, classroom sites are located in Belgium, China, France, Germany, Korea, Slovenia, Switzerland, the United States, and Venezuela. Throughout the semester, students at all locations have a face-to-face meeting once a week. Given time zone differences, this often means students in Ithaca are on campus by 6:00 a.m., while their classmates in China are just back from dinner.