An International Collaborative Approach to Supporting the International Learner

This contribution to international learning arose from two international collaborative developments that Southampton Solent University were involved with in 2006. These developments raised questions of preparing and supporting international students, ?cross-border? ICT-based course delivery, teaching and learning strategies for international learners and the collaborative development of international learning environments. Informed by a review of the international learning literature and the practice of these two developments, potentially generic approaches to tackling these questions are presented and evaluated. This includes a model for preparing and supporting international students, the delivery of a course in decision support at an International Summer School and the development of a shared international environment and resource for teaching and learning databases. An overarching conclusion drawn is that an international collaborative approach, facilitated by ICT, can lead to a richer and better supported experience for the international learner.