VIRTUAL ORIENTATION FOR INCOMING EXCHANGE STUDENTS Raisa Saviaho at University of Warsaw Oct 12th, 2007

Laurea Units

Laurea University of Applied Sciences Bachelor and Master degree programmes - Business, Hospitality and Security Management, ICT, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Social Services, Natural Resources and Media - in Finnish and in English Operating model: Learning by Developing (LbD) Progressive inquiry learning, i.e. learning that takes place through research and development in working life development projects

A wide range of international activities Approximately 200 incoming exchange students per academic year International Laurea

Background: Previous orientation provided for incoming students www-pages info letters personal advice ( ) supportive e- learning studies arrival days student tutoring orientation week and camp

Background: Need for development Good orientation = successful exchange Information provided beforehand -> problem prevention, shorter adjustment time Personal advice takes up a lot of resources and can be frustrating to adviser Online orientation and guidance is cost affective and allows wider participation

Objectives Well orientated incoming exchange students Sharing information and getting to know one another, also among arriving students Levelling and decreasing workload Ensuring correct and good quality information for everyone

Welcome to Finland An e-learning workspace Platform for sharing information Discussion forum Shared login and password

Orientation schedule Information at Information at home institution Application and acceptance -> Access to Welcome to Finland Arrival days Face-to-face tutoring Orientation week and camp

Welcome to Finland

Experiences so far: Success positive feedback some active users continuance open communication feeling welcomed -> less stress

Experiences so far: Challenges 1/2 ICT skills language skills previous experience chatting culture credibility issues: written info vs. spoken, info for everyone vs. individual advice censoring messages (unwanted attention)

Experiences so far: Challenges 2/2 The platform / system used (technical application) Problems in ICT and language skills, virtual culture etc. with the people giving guidance

Future development Continuance by using the same workspace Guidance also from previous years students to next years students Workspace layout -> more user friendly Increasing the involvement of tutors

VM-BASE Virtual Mobility Before and After Student Exchanges Activities include research and piloting

Laureas pilot Orientation and guidance study unit for Laureas students going abroad Based on feedback and experiences - and the need to update Before, during and after the exchange phases Face-to-face meetings, group meetings, assignments, discussion and diary/blog Offline and online

APPLICATION MARKETING OF STUDENT MOBILITY GROUP MEETING FACE-TO-FACE MEETINGS BEFORE THE EXCHANGE ONLINE ASSINGNMENTS AND DISCUSSION GROUP MEETING FEEDBACK DURING THE EXCHANGE ONLINE ASSINGNMENTS AND DISCUSSION AFTER THE EXCHANGE ONLINE ASSINGNMENTS AND DISCUSSION

Laureas pilot Good experiences so far with a small pilot group Assessment -> Dissemination of the practice to all outgoing students

Thank you! Ms. Raisa Saviaho Skype: rsaviaho