Technology to Create International Learning Networks FE Colleges and the International Market: Maximising Opportunities, 20th September 2006, Earls Court One, London, UK Dr. Cheryl Morgan, Dysg and iEARN UK

Barriers to success What barriers to success do overseas students experience in your College? Work with 2-3 others to identify the three most important issues that overseas students face while studying in the UK Share one strategy you use to raise achievement and/or course completion for your overseas students

Possible barriers to success Difficulty with English language Difficulty adjusting to the Culture of the country Difficulty understanding the curriculum Inexperience in group work Difficulty with the course tutor Racism, bigotry or bullying

Bob Hofman, iEARN Netherlands Technology is only there to support human interaction and Project Based Learning (PBL)

Peter Copen, founder of iEARN 'Computers alone do not mean much. The key to all this is teacher training & education.  It is in this domain that iEARN has and can play a most important role.   Why?  Because iEARN is dedicated to the humanization of the technology.

International Education and Resources Network - iEARN Over 18 years linking schools for project work in both northern and southern hemispheres (started in 1988) Structures and projects in 115 countries involving 1,000,000+ students annually in over 25,000 schools Collaboration with governments, NGO’s, foundations, educational agencies, youth groups, religious groups, etc.

Dysg - DELLS Practitioners must continue to learn from each other by sharing experience and best practice. We need practitioners who are able to make better use of emergent technology, are better equipped to lead learning as well as teach… Dysg promotes practitioner innovation through involvement in iEARN project based learning, Youth Conference in Global Stewardship and use of new technologies Source: The Learning Country 2: Delivering the Promise, April 2006

iEARN Goals To facilitate teacher and student-directed collaborative on-line project work To create global, national, and local support structures to sustain project work To demonstrate that on-line education can enhance learning and improve the quality of life on the planet

The iEARN family is experienced at - Relationship-building Facilitating international connections Supporting mutual collaborations

e-Learning in the UK Many initiatives in the UK speak to the ideal of 'e-learning'  Sadly this usually equates to learning how to use software or admonitions to avoid cyber bullying etc  The idea of learning with rather than about other countries is still alien to many

Ways to promote International Learning Networks Participate in international projects linked to course requirements Sponsor vocationally focused iEARN Learning Circles Use iEARN network to select candidates for UK FE College scholarships Incorporate iEARN professional development resources and training within CPD and PGCE programmes Build strong international alumni

Promoting UK FE education overseas through iEARN Take part in iEARN projects to build reputation of FE Colleges across the iEARN world Over 250 projects sponsored by teachers in 115 countries in a variety of languages are available We recommend that teachers first join an on-going project before developing their own project

Sample iEARN projects suitable for FE Colleges A Levels (English, History, Maths, Physics, Science Art & Design Business Studies Catering Child Care Drama Health and Social Care Language Media Motor Vehicle Sport Travel and Tourism

iEARN Learning Circles Develop vocationally focused iEARN Learning Circles to introduce potential foreign students to the FE system and to improve their English in the vocational subject Ex. Catering Learning Circle explores topical issues with groups of students from 8-12 different countries/centres. Through the Learning Circle students and teachers learn about FE College life while the UK tutor identifies/selects students for scholarships to study in the UK Learning Circles are highly interactive, project-based partnerships among a small number of schools located throughout the world. Each session is 14 weeks.

Selecting candidates to study in UK Work in partnership with target country coordinators to recruit and vet students with potential for study in UK Use successful iEARN experience as pre-requisite for scholarships in UK FE Colleges This system is already working in Pakistan and Bangladesh and could be a cost effective way to expand overseas recruitment

FE Alumni Promote iEARN Alumni networks among overseas students Alumni can continue to receive CPD from their FE College after returning to their home country Alumni can promote the FE College with prospective students in their country Alumni can add value to the FE College through continued relationships

iEARN CPD opportunities Variety of training opportunities Self study resources for international collaboration, problem based learning On-line professional development courses Face-to-face workshops and training Interactive professional development forums Suitable for PGCE and/or CPD online teaching courses brings together educators from around the world to develop strategies for integrating online collaborative projects and international exchange into their curricula.

A student’s perspective of iEARN  Access to more knowledge in many different areas  Improve English language  Ability to work in groups  More self-confidence  Better social skills  Effective computer/IT skills  Have a positive role in solving the problems of my society  Have more effective personalities  Know how to use time effectively for my benefit as well as benefit for others “ As an old member of iEARN (3 years), I saw iEARN objectives achieved. The first thing I learned was getting to know where I am. Where in this world! I knew what is around me, the problems I face and what I hold as beliefs and abilities. I confirm that through the last three years, I improved my language ability to a very high standard. I was also able to empower myself with numerous IT skills. What a project! iEARN Egypt Evaluation, 2004

Dissolving Barriers Difficulty with English language Students improve their English language through iEARN projects including video and text based activities Difficulty adjusting to the Culture of the country Students learn about UK culture through on-line project work Difficulty understanding the curriculum Students begin their studies before they come to the UK Inexperience in group work Experience in iEARN Learning Circles develops group working skills Racism, bigotry or bullying Provide UK students opportunities to work collaboratively with students in other countries

Next steps Visit Dysg website Good Practice Models (on Key Skills section) to explore more ways to use iEARN to build international learning networks Develop an action plan for using iEARN to create International learning networks in your FE College Identify tutors/courses to take part in iEARN pilot project Register with iEARN www.iearn.org

iEARN UK: www.iearnuk.org Further information Dysg: www.dysg.org.uk iEARN UK: www.iearnuk.org Cheryl Morgan: Cheryl.Morgan@WALES.GSI.gov.uk