1. On-Line Support Networks for International Students ICT & Student Mobillity, Leuven, March 4-5, 2004 1 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 jeff.haywood@ed.ac.uk www.scrolla.ac.uk www.malts.ed.ac.uk www.coimbra-group.be

2. On-Line Support Networks for International Students ICT & Student Mobillity, Leuven, March 4-5, 2004 2 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

3. On-Line Support Networks for International Students ICT & Student Mobillity, Leuven, March 4-5, 2004 3 Using ICT to enhance the educational experience of international students What we can do to help? What problems might arise?

4. On-Line Support Networks for International Students ICT & Student Mobillity, Leuven, March 4-5, 2004 4 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

5. On-Line Support Networks for International Students ICT & Student Mobillity, Leuven, March 4-5, 2004 5 What ICT mechanisms exist to support these networks? Email 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

6. On-Line Support Networks for International Students ICT & Student Mobillity, Leuven, March 4-5, 2004 6 To address some of the needs of visiting students, we have created VIC Virtual International (Student) Community The focus is building community in Edinburgh

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20. On-Line Support Networks for International Students ICT & Student Mobillity, Leuven, March 4-5, 2004 20 More general ways to facilitate networks Chat & email 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

21. On-Line Support Networks for International Students ICT & Student Mobillity, Leuven, March 4-5, 2004 21 Beyond the university… Regional and UK-wide national communities for visiting students (China, US notable – others??)

22. On-Line Support Networks for International Students ICT & Student Mobillity, Leuven, March 4-5, 2004 22 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

23. On-Line Support Networks for International Students ICT & Student Mobillity, Leuven, March 4-5, 2004 23 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