Global Collaboration in the Classroom: Teaching Scottish Poetry and Prose using Eric Falconer and Alan Longmuir

Abstract

The modern digital classroom encourages the use of technology to enhance global collaboration. The Prairie View A&M University B-Global Program requires students to participate in a global awareness program that emphasizes language, philosophy, and culture (core curriculum areas applicable to all majors). With the increasing presence of artificial intelligence (AI) in the classroom, the inclusion criteria for classroom material included Scottish writers, musicians, and non-digitized text. The search yielded two candidates: Eric Falconer and Alan Longmuir. As musicians and writers, both authors offer a peek into their early lives in Edinburgh, Scotland, through their autobiographical works, “An Edinburgh lad” and “I ran with the gang.” Excerpts from both books were used in university-level Freshman Composition and Humanities courses, where students studied the texts, discussed aspects of the works, and participated in a Zoom call with the author. Students also used technology through group chats, collaborative projects, and online research, gaining a greater understanding and appreciation of Scottish culture while increasing their vocabulary and enhancing their technological and decoding skills through global collaboration. Future plans include continued collaboration with global counterparts and a working agreement with other institutions in Scotland.