U21 Program in Global IssuesU21 Program in Global Issues

AucklandAuckland British ColumbiaBritish Columbia Hong KongHong Kong MelbourneMelbourne NottinghamNottingham

GoalsGoals

……interdisciplinary and highly interdisciplinary and highly interactive fully online courses that interactive fully online courses that hope to hope to “equip graduates with “equip graduates with knowledge and competencies which knowledge and competencies which will enable them to work and will enable them to work and participate as global citizens”participate as global citizens”

CurriculumCurriculum

Courses on issues of global relevance, Courses on issues of global relevance, such as:such as:• PovertyPoverty• Peace and securityPeace and security• World health issuesWorld health issues• International tradeInternational trade• Sustainability and the environmentSustainability and the environment• Human rights and international lawHuman rights and international law

Some online, some F2FSome online, some F2F Collaborative constructivist learningCollaborative constructivist learning

CurriculumCurriculum

Students have to take at least 50% Students have to take at least 50% of their courses at another of their courses at another institutioninstitution

Usually online, but could be on Usually online, but could be on exchangeexchange

Internationalization agendas and e-Internationalization agendas and e-mobilitymobility

One compulsory introductory One compulsory introductory coursecourse

Course menu gives access to content and communication tools

UBC Course Home PageUBC Course Home Page

Student Diversity by Area of StudyStudent Diversity by Area of Study

Diversity by ethnicity and religionDiversity by ethnicity and religion

Ethnic mix: first- or second-Ethnic mix: first- or second-generation immigrants from generation immigrants from Egypt, China, Singapore, the Egypt, China, Singapore, the Philippines, the United States of Philippines, the United States of America, South Africa, Iran, Korea, America, South Africa, Iran, Korea, Poland, Thailand, East Asian, Poland, Thailand, East Asian, European…European…

Diverse religious affiliations, Diverse religious affiliations, including Catholic or Protestant including Catholic or Protestant Christianity, Islam, Sikhism, Baha’i Christianity, Islam, Sikhism, Baha’i and Judaism…and Judaism…

Weekly Content ModulesWeekly Content Modules

Content Module Content Module Front PageFront Page

Weekly ReadingWeekly Reading

Audio LectureAudio Lecture

Discussion QuestionsDiscussion Questions

Module ContentModule Content

Video PresentationsVideo Presentations

Discussion ForumsDiscussion Forums

Inside a Topic ForumInside a Topic Forum

Course and program evaluationCourse and program evaluation Variety of stakeholdersVariety of stakeholders

• StudentsStudents• Faculty staffFaculty staff• AdministratorsAdministrators• Senior ManagersSenior Managers

Variety of issuesVariety of issues• Courses and ProgramCourses and Program• AdministrationAdministration• Curriculum, pedagogy/delivery, assessmentCurriculum, pedagogy/delivery, assessment• Finance and sustainabilityFinance and sustainability

Use of developing instruments for on-line Use of developing instruments for on-line program evaluationprogram evaluation

“I'm still loving the fact that I share a virtual classroom with such a mix of students from all over the world. Other strengths include: engaging, up-to-date information and links, prompt and detailed feedback, interesting subject topics, great interactive discussions & exposure to others' ideas. Being part of a group of students committed to learning, global citizenship & social justice was also really exciting. The teaching was also outstanding - the obvious passion for the teaching material was contagious!”

Student FeedbackStudent Feedback

“I thought that there was a risk with an online subject that people wouldn't give it much effort or thought because you can hide behind a computer screen, but in reality the involvement level is probably better than in most of the 'real' classes I have been in.”

Student FeedbackStudent Feedback

Student feedbackStudent feedback

““I absolutely love hearing I absolutely love hearing from people all around the from people all around the world - it is just great to world - it is just great to have people chatting from have people chatting from Hong Kong, Canada, Hong Kong, Canada, Australia... Have really Australia... Have really enjoyed being able to learn enjoyed being able to learn about different countries and about different countries and how the issues affect how the issues affect different regions differently.”different regions differently.”

Student feedbackStudent feedback

“The programme is a great, innovative one. I have never imagined that an educational programme can be co-organized by five universities together. I think it is a great start and action for universities to become “global”. I understand that the programme cannot be managed easily, but it helps students to get more exposure and it provides motivation for students to self-learn and think critically. I sincerely hope that the programme can carry on for the coming years. “

Student feedbackStudent feedback

“Lastly, I wonder if it would be possible to arrange a summer exchange part (for e.g. visit, conferences with lectures) among these institutions for participating students (for e.g. for students who have completed the course meeting certain standards) and instructors. I understand that organizing such section will be very sophisticated. However, since it is not a common practice for five well-known universities to cooperate togetherto organize a meaningful and educational programme, it will be good to extend interaction beyond the internet. “

Student evaluationsStudent evaluations

CourseCourse Normal:Normal:

Student evaluationStudent evaluation 6.436.43 5.655.65

ProgramProgram

Overall satisfaction levels

4.14.1 3.03.0

Recommend to other 4.24.2

Rewarding and challenging learning experience

4.34.3

Student evaluationsStudent evaluations

Generally lower ratings (3.0+) for technical and administrative support. No responses lower than 3.0.

Moderately low scores (3.1+) for the ways in which collaboration between students is enhanced!

High scores for course materials, feedback from professors.

Competency developmentCompetency development

Scores at or above 4.0 for the development Scores at or above 4.0 for the development of a number of competencies:of a number of competencies:• ability to plan own workability to plan own work• development of relevant ethical, social and development of relevant ethical, social and

professional perspectivesprofessional perspectives• analyse, synthesize and evaluateanalyse, synthesize and evaluate• foster my personal and intellectual foster my personal and intellectual

independenceindependence• improved my skills in written communicationimproved my skills in written communication

Impact outside Impact outside U21U21

Stanford/Oxford Marshall Scholar studyStanford/Oxford Marshall Scholar study

Students enrolled on this course are Students enrolled on this course are more global citizens:more global citizens:

More emails sent outside Hong KongMore emails sent outside Hong Kong Seek more information about world Seek more information about world

and local politicsand local politics Feel that the internet has influenced Feel that the internet has influenced

their understanding of foreign their understanding of foreign culturescultures

Summary: benefits of programSummary: benefits of program

All the advantages of online learningAll the advantages of online learning ““Big societal issues”Big societal issues” International intellectual collaborationInternational intellectual collaboration Opportunity to evaluate online Opportunity to evaluate online

learninglearning Further development of capacity for Further development of capacity for

technology enhanced learningtechnology enhanced learning

SummarySummary

Evidence for good educational value, Evidence for good educational value, despite diversity of structure and diversity despite diversity of structure and diversity of motivation of motivation

Requires better support structures and Requires better support structures and facilities; administration and coordinatorfacilities; administration and coordinator

Funding and sustainability:Funding and sustainability:• Additional universities Additional universities • External studentsExternal students• Fee paying studentsFee paying students• Added value for U21 university recruitmentAdded value for U21 university recruitment