ERIC Number: EJ1257174
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020-Apr
Pages: 25
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1443-1394
EISSN: N/A
Making the Intangible, Tangible: Assessment Design That Fosters Curiosity, Confidence and Collaboration during International Short-Term Study Tours for Australian Students
Pennings, Mark William; Cushing, Debra Flanders; Gomez, Rafael; Dyson, Clare
Australian Journal of Adult Learning, v60 n1 p113-137 Apr 2020
A distinctive characteristic of study tours is their immersive nature, and the type of learning developed in such circumstances often relies on instinctive skills related to confidence, flexibility, curiosity, resilience and risk taking. To discover more about these learning experiences for adult undergraduate students studying varying disciplines in the creative industries at an Australian University, the researchers employed educational action research and developed assessment modules to foster student awareness of intangible skills and personal characteristics during short-term international study tours. On the completion of the tours, participating staff and students provided feedback, via a questionnaire and focus group discussions, that assessed the value of these modules in promoting learning and their contribution to personal growth and cultural sensitivity. Findings show that these modules were highly effective at enabling adult students to become aware of the skills they employed while being actively engaged in international study tours. This study highlights the potential significance of immersive assessment modules that provide specific ways for students to engage with their host country and the cultural differences to which they are exposed.
Descriptors: Self Efficacy, Cooperative Learning, Personality Traits, Study Abroad, Program Length, Foreign Countries, Undergraduate Students, Adults, Individual Development, Cultural Awareness, Program Effectiveness, Student Evaluation, Skill Development, Learner Engagement, Creativity, Industry, Design, Transformative Learning
Adult Learning Australia. Level 1, 32 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra, ACT 2603, Australia. Tel: +61-02-6274-9515; Fax: +61-02-6274-9513; Web site: http://www.ala.asn.au
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Australia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A