On-Line Support Networks for International Students ICT & Student Mobillity, Leuven, March 4-5, Jeff Haywood Scottish Centre for Research into On-Line Learning & Assessment (SCROLLA) School of Education & Media & Learning Technology Service University of Edinburgh, UK & Chair, e-Learning Task Force, Coimbra Group

On-Line Support Networks for International Students ICT & Student Mobillity, Leuven, March 4-5, What does “international student” mean? First, second or third degree Students that come to a university for a whole degree course Students that come for one year or one semester Students that come ‘virtually’ = distance education Culturally ‘close’ or culturally ‘distant’..and our students who do the same in another university

On-Line Support Networks for International Students ICT & Student Mobillity, Leuven, March 4-5, Using ICT to enhance the educational experience of international students What we can do to help? What problems might arise?

On-Line Support Networks for International Students ICT & Student Mobillity, Leuven, March 4-5, The networks that may support international students student Home & friends Home university tutors advisors classmates agencies & societies Own government funding agency Visiting university local students own background students agencies & societies tutors advisors Visit country funding agency Home employer HR supervisor workmates Alumni networks

On-Line Support Networks for International Students ICT & Student Mobillity, Leuven, March 4-5, What ICT mechanisms exist to support these networks? Chat / MSN Messenger Videoconference / audioconference – desktop Videoconference / audioconference – suite ISDN Discussion groups / forums Websites – student’s own homepage Websites – university’s agencies & information PCs – network access – wireless technical + skills help & support

On-Line Support Networks for International Students ICT & Student Mobillity, Leuven, March 4-5, To address some of the needs of visiting students, we have created VIC Virtual International (Student) Community The focus is building community in Edinburgh

On-Line Support Networks for International Students ICT & Student Mobillity, Leuven, March 4-5,

On-Line Support Networks for International Students ICT & Student Mobillity, Leuven, March 4-5,

On-Line Support Networks for International Students ICT & Student Mobillity, Leuven, March 4-5,

On-Line Support Networks for International Students ICT & Student Mobillity, Leuven, March 4-5,

On-Line Support Networks for International Students ICT & Student Mobillity, Leuven, March 4-5,

On-Line Support Networks for International Students ICT & Student Mobillity, Leuven, March 4-5,

On-Line Support Networks for International Students ICT & Student Mobillity, Leuven, March 4-5,

On-Line Support Networks for International Students ICT & Student Mobillity, Leuven, March 4-5,

On-Line Support Networks for International Students ICT & Student Mobillity, Leuven, March 4-5,

On-Line Support Networks for International Students ICT & Student Mobillity, Leuven, March 4-5,

On-Line Support Networks for International Students ICT & Student Mobillity, Leuven, March 4-5,

On-Line Support Networks for International Students ICT & Student Mobillity, Leuven, March 4-5,

On-Line Support Networks for International Students ICT & Student Mobillity, Leuven, March 4-5,

On-Line Support Networks for International Students ICT & Student Mobillity, Leuven, March 4-5, More general ways to facilitate networks Chat & freely available on campus No current support for desktop VC/AC although cheap to purchase Normally no access to VC suites although some special events have been organised with home country Laptop-wireless network and helpdesk systems heavily used by international students (many find employment there too!!) Streamed graduations for wider family & friends access to culmination of studies

On-Line Support Networks for International Students ICT & Student Mobillity, Leuven, March 4-5, Beyond the university… Regional and UK-wide national communities for visiting students (China, US notable – others??)

On-Line Support Networks for International Students ICT & Student Mobillity, Leuven, March 4-5, Distance education & international students Very little exists in Edinburgh so large-scale community building not arisen Community at course level rather than at university level Not enough concentration in-country to merit local communities (cf Open Universities) – will base on alumni networks when necessary

On-Line Support Networks for International Students ICT & Student Mobillity, Leuven, March 4-5, In conclusion Systematic & effective support for networks will become more important as IS numbers rise and mobility (physical & virtual) increases ICT can help traditional support systems to reach more students more effectively and efficiently, especially during ‘mobile phases’ Emphasis on active support for integration may be best option – with ‘transparent’ support for ‘back home’ communications