The Bell 500 gives us the opportunity to share thoughts on a wide range of educational topics from global contributors and gives you the opportunity to read 500 words to motivate your mind. It's quick, it’s focused and it’s always topical.
And, if you’re interested, here’s some further information on how the Bell 500 started…
The Bell 500 is an idea and inspiration borne out of our passion for education, determination to succeed and in homage to our founder’s late grandmother. Indeed, the Bell 500 takes its name directly from Jeanie Fairlie Hammond Bell who was a leading force in shaping his life. Born in 1919, Jean (as she liked to be known) was born into a working-class family in the mill town of Paisley in the West of Scotland. Married to Archie Bell, she soon welcomed a daughter to her family and it was not long after that when she (unusually for a married woman at that time) entered the workforce. As a strongly independent woman and a believer in learning with a passion for picking up new skills, she held various diverse positions during her long working career culminating in the job she loved most, training and working as a Chemistry Technician supporting academic staff and students at Paisley College of Technology (now the University of the West of Scotland). She remained in that role for many years until she retired from full-time employment at the age of 65. Even though she passed in 2015, at the grand age of 96 years, her determination, drive and passion for life and learning remain an inspiration to this day.
Credential Evaluation – what is it and why is it important?
Credential evaluation is the process of comparing qualifications earned or awarded in one country with those earned in another country. At the most basic level, credential evaluation seeks to assign a “value” to qualifications in a country other than the country in which they were earned or awarded. Let’s take a more practical explanation just to make sure there is a clear understanding. Say I hold a Master’s degree which was awarded by the University of Cambridge (UK) but I want to work for an American-based employer. What is the value of my (UK) Master’s degree in America? I would use a credential evaluation professional to provide an opinion and a report.
Staying Ahead of the Curve: Navigating the Ever-Changing Landscape of Credential Evaluation
Keeping up-to-date with advancements in technology, pedagogical approaches, and emerging academic disciplines is crucial for credential evaluators. Regular updates, training, incorporating new research, methodologies, new verification methods, and best practices are essential for maintaining fairness, accuracy, efficiency, productivity, and overall quality in the assessment process.
Origin Stories
One of my favourite questions to ask my colleagues is what led them to their current career and how they got their start in the field of international education. I have yet to hear the same story twice, but one answer is almost always the same: they had no idea this type of job existed until they fell into it – and once they did, they were hooked. Another common thread that ties these tales is a culturally significant experience – a story of immigration, language acquisition, student exchange or travel. Something that broke a barrier or pushed a comfort zone and sparked curiosity, empathy, and a deep sense of being a minute part of a much larger and beautifully complex world.