library services for international students
DESCRIPTION
Details from the SCONUL Guidelines on Library services for international studentsTRANSCRIPT
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Library services for International Students
Moira Bent, Newcastle University
Karen Senior, University of Bolton
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Project GroupFormed in December 2006 for SCONUL
Karen Senior (Chair) University of BoltonMoira Bent, Newcastle UniversityMarie Scopes, Leeds Metropolitan UniversityMamtimyn Sunuodula, Durham University
Remit To produce guidelines for library services for international students to include best
practice and case studies on behalf of the SCONUL Access Group
Research methodology Literature review Online surveys -UK Focus Groups with students Email lists/blogs Personal visits Library/ University websites review
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Definitions : international students
“…we speak of international students when we mean students who have chosen to travel to another country for tertiary study … most of their previous experience will have been of other educational systems, in cultural contexts and sometimes in a language that is different from the one in which they will now study.”
(Carroll & Ryan, 2005)
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Why now?
Globalisation Competition
New challenges from China & India European degrees taught in English Online degrees
Employment & citizenship
“Success will go to those institutions and countries that are swift to adapt, slow to complain and open to change.”
(Schleicher, 2007)
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The international student profile:UK
In 2005/2006:o 318,400 (44,000 EU)
o Over 260,000 paying up to £10,000 in tuition fees + living & housing costs:(Source THES 15/9/06)
Amongst OECD Countries:o UK market share 13.4%
US market share 22% Australia market share 6%
In 2004: 33% of UK Masters and 37% of PhDs completed by overseas students
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The International student profile: world
Global demand for HE international student places: 2003 – 2.1 million 2020 – 5.8 million
USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada: 2003 – 1 million 2020 – 2.6 million
(Bohm et al., 2004)
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Research results
72% (36) of respondents said the University had an International Strategy/Policy but only 8% (4) said the Library had an International Strategy/Action plan
Only 8% (4) of libraries had specific web pages for international students
25.5% (13) had a designated member of Library staff for international students and 76.9% of these spend less than a quarter of their time on this role
Although 70% offered staff development training , only 30% included information relating to learning styles
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The SCONUL Guidelines
Exclusivity versus inclusivity Strategies and policies Practical solutions
Key concepts Special touches Examples of best practice
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Key concepts: managing expectations
Information before arrival Information on library web
pages Library induction Information literacy
teaching
KC14, KC1,KC2
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Key concepts: staff development
Cross-cultural awareness training Encourage library staff to learn a language Plain English guidelines Participation in diversity/international
events
KC3, KC7, KC4, KC16, KC17
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Key concepts: adapting resources- stock and space
Library as social space Wider international
perspective Access to international
media
KC15, KC1, KC3
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Key concepts: Information Literacy
Library induction Measuring competencies in information literacy Subject specific training embedded in curriculum One-to-one tutorials Understanding scholarly communication Ethical use of information Other support mechanisms
KC6, KC8, KC11, KC13, KC12
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Key Concepts: Publications
Plain English Web pages Material in different languages Glossaries
KC5, KC4, KC14, KC15
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Key Concepts: Communication
Student involvement and feedback
Links across the university to other support services, student groups etc
Library staff attending relevant committees
KC4, KC10, KC16, KC9
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Strategy
All key concepts can contribute to an overall strategy
Benchmarking Written library strategy Library university links Views of international students
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SCONUL Guidelines: Library services for international students
http://www.sconul.ac.uk/groups/access/papers/international_students.pdf
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Workshops after lunch
7 Groups – each with one of the themes we have just discussed
Maximum 10 people per group
Please sign up for a group over the lunch period
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Workshop instructions
For your theme please discuss: How do Key Concepts and Special Touches relate to your
own experience? Can you add any more ideas? What are the key issues from the Guidelines for your
library?And if you have any time left How would you like to see us build on and develop the
Guidelines?
Please record ALL discussion for posterity – in a form you can leave with us to circulate via the blog
Feedback 2 key points to the group