Volume Two - Academic Conferences

Breaking Down Barriers: Development of a Wiki Based
Module to Enhance the International Learning Experience
Karen Strickland, Liz Adamson, Carolyn Blight and Wendy McInally
Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, UK
k.strickland@napier.ac.uk
l.adamson@napier.ac.uk
c.blight@napier.ac.uk
w.mcinally@napier.ac.uk
Abstract: This paper reports on the pedagogic design and development of a module which aims to provide an
international learning experience to undergraduate nursing students in a meaningful way, using a wiki as a
shared learning space with international partner institutions. A shortage of healthcare professionals has led to
increased demand for preparing undergraduate nursing students for global mobility, the provision of an authentic
international learning experience in the undergraduate programme is therefore essential. Coupled with social and
economic constraints the traditional model of overseas clinical placements has become increasingly challenging
to achieve. The project team therefore sought to develop a module which offered an authentic international
learning experience which overcomes such barriers and widens the accessibility of the international learning
experience to all students. Wikis are increasingly being used as learning spaces in academia as they provide a
student led collaborative learning experience and have been seen to promote active student engagement in
learning. Wikis provide the opportunity for partner institutions to provide shared learning experiences between
students thus providing the opportunity for students to engage with their overseas peers in specific learning
activities. This paper will report on the process of the module design and development, such as establishing the
international partnerships necessary for the success of the module as well as the underpinning pedagogical
influences of this mode of learning. In doing so particular focus will be placed on where and when to think beyond
the opportunities offered by institutional VLEs, and the limitations inherent within them, when seeking to
effectively engage online students who are from different institutional cohorts within an international context.
Keywords: internationalisation, wiki, web 2.0, peer learning, student experience
1. Introduction
Internationalising the curriculum is a priority within higher education (Leask 2000). The Bologna
Ministerial meeting committed to a target of 20% of Higher Education (HE) students having an
international learning experience by 2020. Traditionally most international learning experiences in
nursing are focussed on the need for exchange programmes or overseas student placements.
Additionally the 20% target would be challenging to achieve in the nursing sector by international
placements alone. Whilst it is recognised that international placements may be the ideal, there are a
number of social and economic factors which inhibit students ability to undertake such placements
resulting in an inequity of the international learning experience therefore an alternative to the
overseas placement is sought.
The development of this wiki-based module offers one solution to this problem. The paper presents a
rationale for developing an innovative alternative to overseas clinical placements for providing an
international learning experience and developing global citizenship within the nursing profession.
2. Use of technology to enhance learning
Technology enhanced learning approaches offer many advantages including the ability to
communicate with peers and colleagues regardless of geographic location. Whilst many UK higher
education institutions have embraced virtual learning environments (VLE) the opportunities to break
down barriers created by the institutionally focused VLE by using some of the Web 2.0 technologies
offer students a richer and more varied learning experience.
Wikis are increasingly being used as learning spaces in academia as they provide a student led
collaborative learning experience and have been seen to promote active student engagement in
learning (Brown et al, 2010; Choy & Ng, 2007). Wikis provide the opportunity for partner institutions to
provide shared learning experiences between students thus providing the opportunity for students to
engage with their overseas peers in specific learning activities.
An online international module where students can engage in shared learning with their international
peers is an alternative to the traditional overseas placements and will enable more students to have
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