In today’s interconnected world, the realm of international education is witnessing rapid transformation and growth. The diverse landscapes of education systems, cultural dynamics, and global challenges call for an in-depth understanding backed by robust quantitative analysis. Enter the “Applied Quantitative Analysis in International Education” course, an innovative online learning experience that equips professionals with the tools and skills to navigate and decode the complexities of international education through data-driven insights.
Since its June launch, the course has already attracted a diverse cohort of 16 administrators, including directors, advisors, and assistant deans from institutions such as Kenyon College, Curry College, Franklin and Marshall, Michigan State University, Emory University, and Earlham College.
A Journey into the Course
Developed by Prof. Melissa Whatley from the School for International Training, this self-paced online course is designed to offer a comprehensive exploration of quantitative analysis tailored specifically to the realm of international education. The author of the Springer book on the subject and numerous journal articles in the field, Whatley brings a unique blend of academic rigor and practical knowledge to the virtual classroom.
Since its June launch, the course has already attracted a diverse cohort of 16 administrators, including directors, advisors, and assistant deans from institutions such as Kenyon College, Curry College, Franklin and Marshall, Michigan State University, Emory University, and Earlham College.
Curriculum: Six Weeks at Your Own Pace
The curriculum is designed to be completed in 6 weeks (but can be completed at any time), each week delving into distinct facets of applied quantitative analysis in international education. The course assumes no prior knowledge of statistics, and most exercises can be completed in Microsoft Excel. Through the course discussion board, students post research questions, explore sources of data, and answer practice problems. Students have begun posing research and data analysis questions ranging from “What factors do international students take into consideration when choosing a destination for studying abroad?” to “What is the relationship between the percentage of international students and higher education institution type?” They’re examining data sources and understanding the basics of descriptive statistics before moving on to beginning-level inferential and correlational analysis. The course culminates in an application project, wherein students can explore a data problem and run an analysis using data from their home campus or other sources.
Module/Week 1
- Collecting quantitative data
- Populations and Samples
- Types of Variables
- Asking Quantitative Research Questions
Module/Week 2
- Measures of Central Tendency
- Measures of Variability
- Calculating Descriptive Statistics in Excel
Module/Week 3
- Distributions
- t-Tests
- Calculating t-tests in Excel
Module/Week 4
- One-Way ANOVA
- Chi-square test of independence
Module/Week 5
- Correlation
Module/Week 6
- Application Project
Collaborative Online Learning
One of the most notable features of this course is its accessibility. Students can join the course at any time, making it a flexible option for those with varied schedules and commitments. This unique feature ensures that a wider range of individuals can engage with the course material and benefit from Prof. Whatley’s expertise.
As the global education landscape continues to evolve, the need for data-driven insights becomes increasingly vital. The “Applied Quantitative Analysis in International Education” course equips professionals with the analytical knowledge to navigate this intricate domain and address questions in practice or research. By blending theory with hands-on projects, Whatley has created a unique educational experience that equips participants with the tools to make meaningful contributions to the field.
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