Experiential learning models: Academic exchanges and internships Beth Alaksa

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Experiential learning models Academic exchanges
and internshipsBeth Alaksa Roopa
Desai-TrilokekarYork University
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Workshop Goals

• Compare two international education program
  models, exchanges and internships by assessing
  similarities and differences between learning
  objectives, program structures, and student
  learning outcomes
• Discuss how program design influences student
  learning objectives and outcomes of international
  education

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Experiential Education International Education

• Experiential Education
• - Pedagogy that enhances and supports learning
  from experience with critical reflection being a
  core component of the learning process
• International Education
• - Range of curricular and co-curricular
  activities and programs that are develop/enhance
  international content and perspectives in
  educational institutions

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Experiential Education International Education

• Several international education programs are
  inherently experiential

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Types and Forms of EE

• 1.Discrete EE courses 2. EE as one or more
  3. Other Experiential
• or programs components of a course
  techniques or program
  incorporated
• into a course or
  program

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Types and Forms of EE

• 1.Discrete EE courses 2. EE as one or more 3.
  Other Experiential
• or programs components of a course techniques
  or program incorporated
• into a course or program
• Cooperative education Field projects Role
  playing
• Field study, field work, Field trips Lab work
• Field research Participatory observations Simulat
  ion games/exercises
• Independent study Oral interviews Student-led
  class sessions
• Internships Site visits/field observations Group
  learning activities
• Practica Use of primary source or raw data
• Service-learning Service-learning
• Other forms of learning Exchanges
• Work-learn
• others

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Learning Objectives

• Exchanges
• Opportunity to gain academic knowledge in a
  different academic setting.
• Opportunity to learn in different socio-cultural
  contexts and begin to understand issues from a
  cross-cultural and/or international perspective.
• Where relevant, an opportunity to improve
  knowledge and skills in another language.
• Opportunities to build networks with students of
  the host institution- both local and
  international.
• Key Different academic perspective, while still
  earning credit at home institution

• Internships
• Opportunity to apply academic knowledge to an
  international work environment- connect
  theory/research with practice and policy issues.
• An opportunity to work and learn in different
  socio-cultural contexts and begin to understand
  issues from a cross-cultural and/or international
  perspective.
• Where relevant, an opportunity to improve
  knowledge and skills in another language.
• Opportunities to build professional networks,
  thus enhancing their international career
  development opportunities.
• Key Professional experience not academic
  credit.

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Program Design

• Exchanges
• Length
• -4-10 months
• Eligibility
• -3 rd year students
• -University-wide or department
• specific programs
• Type of Organization
• -Universities/post-secondary
• Institutions
• -Size may differ
• Funding
• -Partial from university

• Internships
• Length
• 3 month summer placement
• Eligibility
• 3th and 4th (returning) student/graduate sts
• Placements are designed for students in specific
  disciplines/ academic subject area
• Type of Organization
• Different sectoral representation-government,
  non-government, private and university
• Formal agreements
• Funding
• provided by the University

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Student Learning Objectives

• Exchanges
• Academic Knowledge
• - Studying different subjects in different
  contexts-e.g. regional studies
• - Understanding different academic
• Cultures/systems
• -Studying content in another language
• Personal Development
• -Independence
• -Self Knowledge
• -Adaptability
• Skills
• -Communication
• -Language proficiency
• -Problem solving

• Internships
• Academic Knowledge
• Understanding education (school systems) in a
  comparative perspective
• Scientific applications of ecological research
• Application of Participatory Action Research
  (PAR) in development projects and potential
  benefits
• Personal Development
• Independence
• Self knowledge
• Adaptability
• Skills
• Communication
• Research
• Teaching
• Language Proficiency
• Networking
• Problem Solving

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Learning Framework

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Roles Responsibilities

• Exchanges
• University
• -Designated staff for exchange administration
• -Advertise, select and match outgoing and accept
  and support in-coming (2 way)
• -Coordinate pre-departure and re-entry for
  out-going
• -Emergency support
• -Trouble shoot and work to resolve concerns of
  students
• -Program Evaluation

• Internships
• University
• Coordinate program/designate project manager
• Advertise, select and match interns with host
  organizations
• Coordinate pre-departure and re-entry orientation
  session
• Provide support throughout internship to
  organization and intern
• Troubleshoot and work to resolve concerns of both
  interns and host organization
• Program Evaluation

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Roles Responsibilities

• Internships
• Host Organization
• -Job Description
• -Supervisor/Mentor
• -Local Assistance
• -Monitoring Evaluation

• Exchanges
• Host Organization
• -Promote, select and prepare students to come to
  York
• -Accept and support students on-site
• -Trouble shoot
• -Program Evaluation

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Roles Responsibilities

• Exchanges
• Student
• -Background research and required travel
  documentation
• -Participation in pre-departure and re-entry
  orientation programs
• -Act as resource for students for future students
• -Complete academic work as required by host
• -Maintain professional attitude and respect
  traditions and customs of host country
• -Be responsible for financial arrangements an d
  associated costs
• -Contact Coordinator if problems arise
• -Complete evaluation of program

• Internship
• Student
• Background research and required travel
  documentation
• Participate in pre-departure and re-entry
  orientation programs
• Participate on YIIP list serve
• Complete work required by host organization as
  per job outline or contract
• Maintain professional attitude and respect
  traditions and customs of host country
• Keep project manager and host organization
  informed of whereabouts, especially when
  travelling away from worksite
• Be responsible for all financial arrangements and
  associated internship costs
• Contact YU Project Manager, if problems arise
  with internship
• Complete all reports required

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Program Outcomes

• Internship
• Increased the number of students applying for an
  international experience
• Establish and/or solidify our connections with a
  range of institutions.
• Work closely with faculty members and their
  international connections
• Find appropriate field experiences/work
  opportunities for students in different academic
  areas

• Exchanges
• Gives student an opportunity to add knowledge in
  an international context
• Students returning with international experience
• Solidifies relationships within institutions

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Student Learning Outcomes

• Exchanges
• Academic Knowledge
• -Gained an international perspective in there
  academic field
• -Gained an understanding of a different system
• -Appreciate value of York approach
• Personal Development
• -Self Knowledge
• -New perspective on cohort
• -Learning from peers
• -Pride and achievements
• -Focus long term goals
• Skills
• -Language proficiency
• -Inter-personal

• Internships
• Academic Knowledge
• Academic theory challenged
• Better understanding of context and challenges of
  NGO sector
• Discovered new applications in field of study/or
  encouraged to explore new professional
  choices/refined area of study
• Personal Development
• Self knowledge (from being alone and having time
  to reflect!)
• Confidence- I can do it!
• New perspectives
• Patience
• Skills
• Improved language proficiency
• Research- exposure to new literature and
  methodologies
• Analytical

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Program Assessment

• Exchanges
• Successful program
• Important ingredients included-
• -funding
• -match of university
• -opportunity for student growth

• Internships
• Successful program
• Important ingredients included-
• faculty participation
• funding
• defined time period
• small and highly structured program
• close match between university and student
  learning objectives and outcomes

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To improve

• Exchanges
• Variety of destinations
• Strengthen communications between institutions
• Strengthen communication with students during the
  program
• Improve reentry process and add opportunity for
  reflection

• Internships
• Broaden opportunities for students in different
  academic disciplines
• Strengthen communication with participating
  organizations to clarify expectation and student
  role
• Strengthen communication with students while on
  internship- more directed questions and
  discussions to engage them in reflective learning
  
• Engage wider number of students in reflective
  papers and improve overall re-entry process

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Importance of program design in international
education

• What is different?
• Who participates and how?
• Students, faculty, participating organizations
• Learning objectives and outcomes
• Student and institutional

• What is similar?
• Learning objectives and outcomes
• International and cross-cultural focus
• Program Administration
• Basic administrative processes
• Importance of structuring the learning experience

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Integrating principles of EE to IE

• All genuine education comes about through
  experience. does not mean that all experiences
  are genuinely or equally educative
• John Dewey, 1938

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Thank you!

• Contact Information
• Beth Alaksa
• Coordinator Student Mobility
• balaksa_at_yorku.ca
• Website http//international.yorku.ca/student/one
  /exchange/exchange.htm
• Roopa Desai Trilokekar
• Project Manager, Strategic Academic Initiatives
• roopat_at_yorku.ca
• Website http//international.yorku.ca/internships
  
• Office of the Associate Vice President
  International/York International
• York University
• website http//international.yorku.ca/