Virtual mobility

New steps towards increasing

student’s mobility

Erasmus / Socratesprogrammes

Erasmus / Socratesprogrammes Bologna processBologna process

International orientationof science

International orientationof science

Student’s mobility

Objectives of mobility of students

Motivation of students to study abroad:­ to­gain­international­experience­and­competence­ to­approach­other­(often­more­specialised)­study­opportunities

Achievements – anno 2004

-­­­Introduction­of­bachelor­–­master­programmes-­­­Quality­assurance­/­accreditation­in­discussion-­­­Frequent­use­of­ECTS-­­­Recognition­of­degrees­expected­to­grow­significantly-­­­Diploma­supplement­introduced-­­­More­attention­for­collaboration­among­universities-­­­Student­exchange­­is­increasing­(however­slowly)

Focus­at­‘regular­students’­

More­attention­needed­to:•­­­Life­long­learning•­­­Post­experience­/­executive­students

Inadequacy­of­traditional­methods­of­student’s­exchange

Concern

Forms of mobility of students

Physical Mobility (PM) ­ on-site:­physical­travel­&­stay­in­a­country­abroad­

­ for­limited­period

­ takes­substantial­amount­of­time­/­creates­additional­cost­

­ student­experiences­face-to-face­activities­and­meetings,­teaching­and­the­everyday­life­of­the­country

­ social,­cultural­and­educational­enrichment­

Physical Mobility (PM) ­ on-site:­physical­travel­&­stay­in­a­country­abroad­

­ for­limited­period

­ takes­substantial­amount­of­time­/­creates­additional­cost­

­ student­experiences­face-to-face­activities­and­meetings,­teaching­and­the­everyday­life­of­the­country

­ social,­cultural­and­educational­enrichment­

Virtual Mobility (VM) ­ from­home,­university­or­work­

place­/­no­physical­stay­abroad­ no­restrictions­in­length­of­time­

spent­studying­ time­and­cost­effective­

­ no­face-to-face­activities­­ access­to­courses­and­study­

schemes­in­foreign­country;­communication­with­teachers­and­fellow­students­abroad­via­ICT­

­ educational­and­intercultural­competences

Virtual Mobility (VM) ­ from­home,­university­or­work­

place­/­no­physical­stay­abroad­ no­restrictions­in­length­of­time­

spent­studying­ time­and­cost­effective­

­ no­face-to-face­activities­­ access­to­courses­and­study­

schemes­in­foreign­country;­communication­with­teachers­and­fellow­students­abroad­via­ICT­

­ educational­and­intercultural­competences

Didactic concept

Pedagogy

collaborative­learning­via­internetinternational­and­multidisciplinary­compound­groupsthree­phases­in­EVS­course:­– individual:­electronic­learning­environment­and­team­building– group:­research­proposal,­research,­group­report,­policy­

summary– chat­session­with­an­EU-representative­and­evaluation­of­the­

courseassessment­and­marking:

group­products­(report­and­policy­summary)­by­the­expertgroup­process­(cooperation­group­members)­by­the­tutor

Content

Overall­theme:­Sustainable­Development­in­Europe

Case­studies– Enlargement­of­the­European­Union­and­the­agricultural­policy.­Case:­

Poland

– European­spatial­planning­and­policy.­Case:­the­regions­with­the­Mediterranean­forest­Dehesa

– Climate­change­and­energy­technology­in­industrial­production.­Case:­pulp­and­paper­industry

– Integrated­water­management.­Implementation­of­the­European­Water­Framework­Directive.­Case:­Danube

– Nature­and­biodiversity­conservation.­Case:­Rumanian­forests

Community

student­groups:­international­&­multidisciplinary­(4-6­members)tutors:­coaching­and­assessing­group­processexperts:­assessing­group­products­institutional­coordinators:­project­management­&­formal­issues

Details of forms of VM

International learning experience

Courses from foreign institution­

Joint courses, programmes, degrees

Continuing professional training

- Discussion groups, seminars, learning communities- Physical and virtual components to be combined- Electronic means for communication; CSCL

- Updating skills, knowledge, competencies enhance employability

- Offers and courses available at DTUs- European course catalogue­

­ Intercultural and complementary themes with international context

- Completely new course or programme - Combining existing courses and materials

- Special content or approach probably not available at home university

- Broader number of courses offered by universities

Barriers to development of VM

­ legislation­and­public­perception­(often:­no­official­recognition­of­distance­learning­qualifications,­regarded­as­inferior­qualifications)­

­ ECTS­is­not­universally­adopted,­and­is­not­yetimplemented­as­an­accumulation­system­­

­ Diploma­Supplement­is­not­universally­adopted­­­ Higher­fees­charged­for­non-resident­students­(no­Erasmus-scheme-like­subsidy­available­for­VM)­

­ foreign­language­skills­needed­in­reading,­writing­and­speaking­as­prerequisite

Reflection on barriers of VMType of VM

Main barriers

International learning experience

Courses from foreign institution­

Joint courses, programmes, degrees

Continuing professional training

Recognition/ Accreditation

Integration­at­university

Agreement­by­faculties

University­and­national­rules

Relevance­for­job/career­

ECTS ECTS­course­catalogue­

Helps­­creditation

Quantification;­not­condition

ECATS

EuroPass

Diploma Supplement

Might­be­included­

Contains­description­

Demonstrating­international­qualification

Improve­acceptance­&­employability

Fees No­specific­fees­

Charging­per­course

Same­price­for­students

Market­prices­

Language - Most­likely­English­–­different­levels­of­competence­needed- Examinations:­mother­language,­materials:­different­languages­- Multi-lingual­and­hence­intercultural­communication­systems­

Herman.vandenBosch@ou.nl