USING SCIENCE LEARNING
PARTNERSHIPS TO ENRICH AND
INTERNATIONALISE STUDENT
EXPERIENCES
Kevan MA Gartland
Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, G4 OBA
Andrew J Grosovsky
College of Science & Mathematics, University of Massachusetts Boston
International Science Learning Partnership
‘A Mission to Mars!’
Glasgow Caledonian University
&
University of Massachusetts Boston
International Partnership:
Innovation, Scale, and Impact
Since 2010, UMass Boston and GCU successfully developed and
implemented an innovative exchange program with several
distinctive elements:
•
•
•
Inclusion of first-year students in their first semester
Involvement of communities, which permitted the exchange
experience to be extended to all members, with great relevance for
early academic engagement
Rich involvement of students, faculty, and staff members from both
universities, who grew together as a team of colleagues
UMass Boston
Student Success Strategy
• Established Student Success Center in 2008,
• Data-driven and student-centered philosophy
• Custom designed and implemented student success programs
that address the specific needs of first year students
• An “outreach” model for academic advising and academic
support
• Academically centered learning communities Freshman Success
Communities (FSC) has promoted strong faculty participation,
supplemental Instruction and peer mentors for students
• The Curriculum includes a Science Gateway Seminar in which
the students collaborated on research assignments using Wikis,
which facilitated collaboration and inclusion of GCU students
UMass Boston
Student Success Outcomes
CSM has successfully achieved scalability of our approach without
diminishment of impact on retention.
Freshman Success Community (FSC): Scalability
Number of Communities
Number of Students
Percentage CSM Freshmen
2009-2010
2
46
16%
2010-2011
6
123
38%
2011-2012
7
144
42%
2012-2013
12
211
51%
Freshman Success Community (FSC): Retention Impact
FSC
Non FSC
Total CSM
UMass Boston
Retention 2010
86%
70%
73%
75%
Retention 2011
83%
71%
76%
75%
Retention 2012
89%
79%
83%
79%
Science Learning Partnership:
Aims
•
•
•
•
•
•
Enhance international collaboration in science education
Increase student engagement in research activities
Promote learning community model
Encourage the use of negotiated blended learning approaches
Integrate social inclusion into first year science curriculum
Expose students to different cultures
Science Learning Partnership:
Mission to Mars!
2011-12: Pilot year-focus on premedical and biosciences
•
•
•
Support from Prime Minister’s Initiative/British Council Award, funding from Davis
Educational Foundation (US) and generous contribution from Mr. Art Mabbett
Involved 40 Level 1 undergraduate and 3 postgraduate life sciences students from
GCU and UMass Boston
Introduced UMass Boston College of Science and Mathematics Freshman Success
Communities (CSM FSC)model
2012-13: Focus expanded to include chemistry, computer science, electrical
engineering
•
•
Support from Scottish Government Saltire Scholarships for Outward Student
Mobility, CSM institutional funds and generous contribution from Mr. Art Mabbett
Expanded to 98 Level 1 undergraduate students from GCU and UMass Boston
Science Learning Partnership:
Community
Establishment:
•
•
•
Introductory “meet and greet” videos, supplemented by blogs and social media
Weekly community tutorials and informal networking progressed tasks addressing
‘Hot Science Topics’ including: Stem Cell Cloning, Personalized Medicine,
Environmental Toxicology
Students presented their findings by WebCast and as part of modular assessments
Community and Role Development:
•
•
•
Freshman Success Communities were set up with joint task teams of travelling,
hosting, communications and academic support students
Student teams worked together to prepare for the visits, such as planning and
executing cultural activities and providing support for travellers
All students continued to contribute to making the innovative ‘Mission to Mars’
successful, whether travelling or hosting, emphasising the team nature of
collaborative science
Science Learning Partnership:
Visit Activities
Student Selection:
• Interested students were required to prepare short Wikis, video or social
media tools on why they should be chosen to be ‘travellers’ for the physical
exchanges
• Travellers were selected based on agreed selection criteria by interviews and
peer reviews
Visit:
• Groups of up to six students travelled independently to the partner city for
one week to follow a vigorous academic and social schedule.
• Programs included lectures, environmental field trips, laboratory sessions,
and student programmed robotic workshops complemented by cultural and
social activities.
• Knowledge development visits to key life sciences companies and institutes
provided further learning engagements
Science Learning Partnership:
Sample Wiki Page 1
Science Learning Partnership:
Sample Wiki Page 2
Science Learning Partnership:
Sample Wiki Page 3
Science Learning Partnership:
Student Evaluations
Students said:
‘An inspirational and life changing experience!’
‘A fantastic experience - an amazing array of lessons learned’
‘Increased my understanding of international education’
‘Has completely changed my life. I now don’t fear making a big change
and am much more confident’
Science Learning Partnership:
Student Evaluations
Participating in the International
Learning Partnership:
Helped me develop independent study
skills
Helped me become more independent
and self-reliant
Increased my understanding of other
cultures
Increased my understanding of
international science collaborations
Made me think about joining future
international exchanges
Helped me with the transition to
University life
Gave me the opportunity to develop
intercultural skills
Gave me confidence in communicating
and interacting with students
Gave me confidence in communicating
and interacting with staff
Introduced me to new technologies
Percentage of Students Agreeing
2013 Sem 2 UMB 2013 Sem 2 UMB
PreMed
CompEng
2012 Sem 1 UMB
PreMed
2012 Sem 1 GCU
Bio
2013 Sem 2 GCU
Bio
2013 Sem 2 GCU
Comp
75
89
44
49
83
64
70
100
51
42
100
82
100
100
85
85
100
91
90
89
54
55
75
82
100
100
85
82
100
100
80
100
28
40
67
64
100
89
80
75
100
91
100
100
87
77
92
82
95
100
69
69
100
82
85
100
47
55
92
55
Science Learning Partnership:
Student Outcomes
•
•
•
•
•
Stronger independent learners with increased self-confidence
Gained international scientific perspectives
Improved research & presentation skills
Greater motivation to acquire and use knowledge
UMass Boston data suggests <10% progression increment due to
Freshmen Success Communities, similarly, initial GCU data suggests a
similar Level 1 Progression increment for participants
• Partnership veterans are already actively engaged in planning and
mentoring their successors, continuing the community for future
exchanges
• Institutional commitments to shared mission: successful transition into
university learning
Thanks to:
Prime Minister’s Initiative Award, British Council
Scottish Government Research & International Team
Lord Provost, City of Glasgow
Davis Educational Foundation (US)
Mr. Art Mabbett, President, Mabbett & Associates
Students and Colleagues at UMass Boston and GCU
Watch an evaluative video at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1S_Ad8Vijk&noredirect=1