researching student mobility in a digital world
DESCRIPTION
Presentation of the results of research into digital barriers for student mobility (final report of the Victorious project - http://www.victorious-project.org/ )TRANSCRIPT
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Student Mobility in a Digital World
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Student Mobility in a Digital World
Researching student mobility in a digital world
Jeff Haywood & Denise Haywood, Edinburgh University, UK, Sue Timmis, Angela Joyce & Jasper Tredgold, Bristol Univ., UK, Aune Valk, Tartu University, Estonia, Cesare Zanca, Siena University, Italy, Anthony Baldry, Pavia University, Italy, Steven Verjans & Nicola Mrose, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, BE, Isabel Perez, Granada University, Spain, Louwarnoud van der Duim, Groningen University, Netherlands,Matti Lappaleinen, Turku University, Finland, Axelle Devaux, Coimbra Group, Brussels, Belgium
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Student Mobility in a Digital World
European Developments in Higher Education
Education & Training 2010
Bologna Process
European Higher Education Area / Research Area
ECTS
Diploma Supplement
Erasmus Programme etc
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Student Mobility in a Digital World
http://www.iupui.edu/~icic/images/MOF%20outside%20group%20work.JPG
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Student Mobility in a Digital World
Existing digital university processes
Learning and teaching with technology; Digital libraries (e-journals, e-books, online databases & help); Integration of digital databases holding staff, student and
course records; Portals as single channels of access to digital resources; Email as the major/dominant channel of communications; Single/reduced sign-on to authenticated systems (portal,
email, library); Secure off-campus access to restricted digital resources
(VPN, proxy); Websites as the major/dominant channel for information
provision.
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Student Mobility in a Digital World
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Student Mobility in a Digital World
The digital student
Uses: Laptop/PC/internet frequently & from a variety of locations Lots of digital information sources, possibly preferentially to
physical Chat, email, sms, social network software (friendster,
myspace)
Likes/expects: Fast & seamless services Universities to be online & reliably accessible
BUT!
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Student Mobility in a Digital World
Sometimes it’s easier to get into a SL lecture than to get access to a computer at your host university
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Student Mobility in a Digital World
• Interview fragment (when we can get the technology to work for us)
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Student Mobility in a Digital World
There is now also an increasing emphasis on virtual mobility in education (ie taking courses from another university (country) by distance learning methods, esp digital – e-learning)
eLearning Programme
“Development of existing instruments in particular those concerning virtual mobility as a complement and reinforcement for physical mobility (virtual Erasmus); recognition and validation schemes (based on ECTS); information and guidance services, and any other synergies between virtual and traditional models.”
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Student Mobility in a Digital World
physical mobility = a proxy for virtual mobility
Little virtual mobility at present in European traditional universities and so special cases = special efforts
Digital identities, access, facilities, services all affect most on-campus (traditional) students
Transfer between universities raises challenges to universities to give visiting students fast & automatic digital rights/routes/support
If we do not (cannot) automate & simplify our services to traditional visiting students, virtual mobility will be difficult to implement
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Student Mobility in a Digital WorldWe need a great deal of operational fine-tuning
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Student Mobility in a Digital World
Research methodology – triangulation of sources
Desk research and case studies - Find the right questions Student perspective:
Interviews Identify right issues Survey: online, prizes to win 2400 responses
University perspective: Survey: online, multiple people in 1 uni 55 responses Staff interviews: explore reasons for some of the findings
Pilots: testing some possible enhancements to the virtual experience, and their organisational consequences
Seminars: getting feedback on intermediate results
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Student Mobility in a Digital World
Topics & themes
Before, during & after exchange period Student perspective:
Access to digital services & support IT (access to computers), library, e-learning Access to home services while abroad Continued access to host service when back home
University perspective: Libraries, ICT provisions, Student records/Registry, International Offices and e-learning Specific services for outgoing & incoming students?
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Student Mobility in a Digital World
Topics of pilots
Quality of information about the host university Assessing and attenuating digital culture shock Exchanging and transferring e-learning materials between
universities Feasibility of a European course information database Feasibility of using Shibboleth for digital identity sharing Providing advice and support to outgoing students
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Student Mobility in a Digital World
Outcomes of research
Research results published Recommendations formulated Practical checklists for all relevant stakeholders
Published by www.scrolla.ac.uk (Summaries available) Available as (online) publication at
http://www.victorious-project.org/
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Student Mobility in a Digital World
The free moving student?
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Student Mobility in a Digital World
Results from student perspective
Digital culture shock: moving between highly integrated online services less integrated online services
“None at all: completely out of touch with modern technology! Everything was paper forms.”
“The information online to which I have had access were all relative to the previous academic year, the most part of it were mistakes”
“I did use them but only the last month when I finally got my account ”
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Student Mobility in a Digital World
Results from student perspective
Information provision is weak Hard to find – Mainly in local language only Insufficient focus on needs of visiting students No or limited peer network for visitors
Resourcefulness is needed Internet cafés for access to PC and Internet Use services of home university (library access, etc.) Sharing of passwords
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Student Mobility in a Digital World
Results from university perspective
Business processes directed at on-campus students Physical presence needed for many services Particularly libraries International offices not very concerned with digital services
More services for incoming than for outgoing student “Out of sight, out of mind?” Access to distant learning materials not obvious Awareness is rising
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Student Mobility in a Digital World
Recommendations
For universities Providing good, structured, up-to-date info is ‘easy’ Easier enrollment and registration needed Specific training and support for digital provisions Collaboration across bureaucratic borders
For students and their associations More wide-thinking in planning visits / virtual participation Seriously consider everything that might go wrong (It will !) Collect and share experiences and solutions
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Student Mobility in a Digital World
Recommendations
For European, national & regional agencies Provide single search for course/programme information Single digital identity system(s) for students / staff
e.g. high-level (national) federations for Shibboleth
Easier Internet access (e.. EduROAM)
Help remove digital barriers
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Student Mobility in a Digital World
Follow-up projecthttp://vm-base.europace.org/
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Student Mobility in a Digital World
EXPECTED OUTPUTS: 1. Orientation guidelines for students 2. Codes of good practice in designing pre-selection tests for
students3. Blue print for preliminary courses for students preparing for a
physical Erasmus exchange 4. Guidelines on assessment and evaluation tools 5. A study on a Virtual Alumni Association for Erasmus students 6. A manual on ‘good-practices in e-coaching’ 7. A manual with validated procedures and recommendations for
blended mobility activities at institutional, network and European level
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Student Mobility in a Digital World
Let’s try to make the (virtual) exchange visit more agreeableand decrease the (digital) culture shock
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Student Mobility in a Digital WorldPositive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.
Herm Albright
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Student Mobility in a Digital World
www.slideshare.net/sverjans
http://www.victorious-project.org/