Evaluating the effectiveness of Skype as a tool for promoting internationalisation of the nursing curriculum

Stephens, M; Hennefer, DL; Gloster, AS; Barker, M; Mcgrath, D

Abstract

The paper examines the effectiveness of Skype as a medium for communication, support and internationalisation of student nurse programmes. The researchers sought to examine whether online face to face contact via Skype improved support and communication with students nursing overseas and if the use of Skype for online communications with students in action learning sets within the home university, developed cultural awareness of those nursing students who stayed on native soil. The study comprised of focus groups and online questionnaires of staff and students. 22 students were included in the study, 18 who had experienced physical mobility and 4 who had experienced virtual mobility. 12 lecturers also contributed in their role as a personal tutor, module team member or international link lecture for the countries in which the students visited. 4 themes arose from the thematic analysis (Braun and Clarke’s (2006) 6 stage model) of the narratives of the participants and included operational issues, pastoral care, academic and peer support and cultural awareness and development. The use of Skype was found to be extremely beneficial in terms of online communication and support for students undertaking an international placement. However the development of cultural awareness needs further work, using Skype to engage students abroad in discussions with students in action learning sets did allow students at home to take into account social and cultural differences between practices in England and the country their peer was on placement, it did not however allow examination of their own beliefs, biases and prejudices to practice skills of self awareness as would occur in students who experienced international mobility

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (unpublished)
• Conference Name: Education in a Changing Environment (ECE) 6th International Conference : Creativity and Engagement in Higher Education
• Start Date: Jul 6, 2011
• End Date: Jul 8, 2011
• Publication Date: Mar 13, 2018
• Deposit Date: Aug 4, 2011
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 4, 2011
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.17866/rd.salford.5977408.v1
• External URL: http://www.ece.salford.ac.uk/