Breaking down barriers: Development of a wiki based module to enhance the international learning experience

Karen Strickland, Liz Adamson, Carolyn Blight, Wendy McInally

Research output: Contribution to conference (non-published works)Paper

Abstract

This paper reports on the pedagogic design and development of a module which aims to provide an international learning experience to undergraduate nursing students in a meaningful way, using a wiki as a shared learning space with international partner institutions. A shortage of healthcare professionals has led to increased demand for preparing undergraduate nursing students for global mobility, the provision of an authentic international learning experience in the undergraduate programme is therefore essential. Coupled with social and economic constraints the traditional model of overseas clinical placements has become increasingly challenging to achieve. The project team therefore sought to develop a module which offered an authentic international learning experience which overcomes such barriers and widens the accessibility of the international learning experience to all students. Wikis are increasingly being used as learning spaces in academia as they provide a student led collaborative learning experience and have been seen to promote active student engagement in learning. Wikis provide the opportunity for partner institutions to provide shared learning experiences between students thus providing the opportunity for students to engage with their overseas peers in specific learning activities. This paper will report on the process of the module design and development, such as establishing the international partnerships necessary for the success of the module as well as the underpinning pedagogical influences of this mode of learning. In doing so particular focus will be placed on where and when to think beyond the opportunities offered by institutional VLEs, and the limitations inherent within them, when seeking to effectively engage online students who are from different institutional cohorts within an international context.

Original languageEnglish
Pages1012-1014
Number of pages3
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2011
Externally publishedYes
Event10th European Conference on e-Learning, ECEL 2011 - Brighton, United Kingdom
Duration: 10 Nov 201111 Nov 2011

Conference

Conference10th European Conference on e-Learning, ECEL 2011
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityBrighton
Period10/11/1111/11/11

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