Virtual feedback and information system – Laurea University of Applied Sciences

The aim of this pilot was to develop the mobility-related feedback system of Laurea University of Applied Sciences so that it would be better placed to support the internationally mobile students' reflection of their own experiences. Also it wanted to produce information for the prospective and future exchange students in an interesting and useful way.

Feedback from all mobile students is collected through an online questionnaire, which contains both multiple choice and open questions. The students also have to fill out a short description or report of the exchange. These are published in an International Relations Management System database which is open to all students and staff.

These descriptions were at first pretty brief, and did not include a lot of reflection of the own experiences. This limited their usability for the future outgoing exchange students.

In January 2008, a group of international coordinators and students who returned from exchanges were gathered to plan and make a first version of a new system. The group considered different online possibilities, but decided to create an interactive map that would present Laurea's students opportunities for student exchanges through student experiences and a few facts, using pictures, videos and links as much as possible. A Google-based map was chosen due to its usability and features. Content for the map (i.e. information for each of Laurea's international student mobility partners) was gathered from several sources including Laurea's former exchange students

The idea was to make the map fun to explore, thus acting as a motivator, encouraging students towards mobility and inspiring them about internationalisation. This is often the initial step towards going abroad. Once the decision to go abroad has been made, the future exchange students require more information, but specifically about the target area /country they have chosen. This information is at best provided by the exchange students who have been on an exchange at the same area/country.

The outcomes of the pilot project have not yet been fully utilised. The pilot project group however anticipates that the new international student mobility information tool will further encourage reflection which will deepen students learning experience remarkably. The tool is also expected to be of great assistance to prospective exchange students which was already indicated by the initial comments from former exchange students while information for the map was being gathered.

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