Piloting a novel online international learning project on employability for postgraduate health psychology students.

Percy, CA (Carol)¹, McSharry, J (Jenny)^2
1Coventry University, School of Psychological, Social & Behavioural Sciences, CV1 5FB, Coventry
²National University of Ireland, Galway, School of Psychology, H91TK33, Galway

 

Submission type

Poster only

Scheduled

Poster Sessions 2 (10.30-11:00), 21-07-2016, 10:30 - 11:00

Keywords

health psychology, online learning, international learning, digital collaboration

Summary

 

 

We piloted an 8 week project offering health psychology students ‘international’ experiences via online interaction. We tested the feasibility of running collaborative activities in an online platform. Students were invited to participate from health psychology programmes at one Irish and one British university.

Learning activities included: posting to online discussion forums, a live video discussion on ‘global health psychology’, and shared digital presentations on international employability, including e.g. qualification requirements across countries, continuing professional development, digital fluency, and intercultural competence.

21 students volunteered to take part  (13 from one university, 8 from the other). Participation varied across the learning activities. The live video discussion was most popular (21 students participated), followed by posting personal pictures/biographies (n=14) and discussion forums (n=7). Only 3 students contributed to the digital presentation. Student engagement decreased as the semester progressed. Informal feedback suggests that competing coursework deadlines may have reduced engagement. Engagement might be enhanced by including fewer activities, or offering course credit for participation or evaluation activity.

It is feasible for psychology courses in different countries to collaborate in online learning. Learning collaboratively with students in other countries may broaden international perspectives and employment prospects. We hope future collaborations may be facilitated through ESPLAT.

Auteurs