Pilot Description University of Applied Sciences Leiden

Department BOSA Policy Support and Strategic Advice
Projectmanagement: Susan Niemantsverdriet PhD
Info, mail to: Susan Niemantsverdriet

Goal

The main goal of the pre departure introduction was to give international students information and to test their knowledge and skills on mathematics, English language and Dutch study culture. We experimented with modest tool designs at the Department of ‘Biology and Medical Laboratory Research’ and the Department of ‘Law’ respectively, both in the main study phase.

Tool

The tool was designed in UAS Leiden Blackboard and entrance for international students was given by personal guest accounts.
The tool consists of an informational part, where international students can find information about study facilities at UAS Leiden, study culture at UAS Leiden and living in Leiden.
Apart from these information pages, several assignments can be found on the tool. In total three compulsory assignments dealing with different topics, like: basic mathematics, basic English and acculturation. And an optional quiz to test knowledge of the Dutch culture in general.

Findings

We used the tool in January/February 2010 to get five students (three from Lithuania and two from Belgium) introduced to their study in Law of UAS Leiden. Lecturers and staff members carried out the interaction during the introduction. The interaction mainly dealt with instructions and feedback about the assignments.
Below the main evaluative issues which will need attention when using the tool another time:

• Blackboard does not seem to be the ideal program for our purposes with the on-line tool. E.g. It has few to none options to display an attractive layout.
• Technical support when developing and designing an on-line tool is needed (almost on a daily basis).
• Once having the on-line tool operational, someone has to be appointed to operate and/or manage the on-line tool (ownership).
• It is to be decided whether the abovementioned issue, will be a responsibility for someone from the international office or a lecturer from a faculty.
• It is important to introduce and mobilize support among lecturers for the use of the on-line tool.
• It is important to involve students as e-coaches to contact the international students before arrival.
• Fellow students play an important role as e-buddy’s in carrying out the pre-departure introduction and later on in the transition of the international students.
• Getting a team of student e-coaches needs lots of planning ahead.

Two videos

video 1: general description and purpose of the pilot plus experiences of students 

video 2: the lessons learned 

Overzicht van in de pilot gebruikte materialen

Zie voor informatie over rechten: Creative Commons licenties