researching student mobility in a digital world

EDEN 2007 Conference, Naples, June 15th 2007 1

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



European Developments in Higher Education

Education & Training 2010

Bologna Process

European Higher Education Area / Research Area

ECTS

Diploma Supplement

Erasmus Programme etc



http://www.iupui.edu/~icic/images/MOF%20outside%20group%20work.JPG



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.



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!



Sometimes it’s easier to get into a SL lecture than to get access to a computer at your host university



• Interview fragment (when we can get the technology to work for us)



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.”



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


Student Mobility in a Digital WorldWe need a great deal of operational fine-tuning



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



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?



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



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/



The free moving student?



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 ”



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



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



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



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



Follow-up projecthttp://vm-base.europace.org/



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



Let’s try to make the (virtual) exchange visit more agreeableand decrease the (digital) culture shock


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



www.slideshare.net/sverjans

http://www.victorious-project.org/