Quality in mobility how to measure and assess

Quality in mobility: how to measure and assess it Maria Sticchi Damiani

Key words for organised mobility: Diversity culture language academic system contents programmes teaching methods housing food social activities…………. Transparency academic programmes services exchange procedures… Cooperation between home and host institution between academics and administrators between learners and teachers………….

Let’s look at the quality of mobility with reference to these aspects

Quality of mobility - diversity Recognise the value of diversity in education and enable students to benefit from it: • make curricula flexible enough to allow for inclusion of diverse learning experiences • provide opportunities for diverse learning experiences in a variety of countries, languages, institutions, programmes…. . • encourage students to appreciate diversity as enrichment, complementarity, mind opener…. .

How to measure/assess? Possible indicators: • Number of credits available for students’ options in the curriculum • Variety of countries of destination • Variety and levels of languages taught in the institution (including the local one) • Variety of types of partner institutions

Quality of mobility - transparency Describe educational activities and services available in the most transparent way: • produce a course catalogue in two languages according to ECTS guidelines, with desired learning outcomes, approaches to teaching and assessment, teaching staff and equipment…. . • develop grade distribution curves for the various degree programmes according to ECTS guidelines • describe specific facilities, services, academic and administrative procedures for exchange students • make information available when needed by partners

How to measure/assess? Possible indicators: • Compliance of course catalogue with ECTS guidelines, its translation into another major European language, its availability at due time • Number of degree programmes involved in student exchanges providing ECTS grade distribution curves • Publication of an action plan for the academic and logistic handling of incoming/outgoing students from beginning to the end.

Quality of mobility - cooperation Develop solid partnerships and promote fruitful cooperation: • guarantee institutional commitment to partnership • activate efficient communication channels with partners, both at academic and administrative level • ensure full awareness of programmes and services offered at partner institutions • agree on exchange and recognition procedures, both academic and administrative • accept imbalanced flows (by country, institution, subject area) as arising from students’ choices • jointly monitor and evaluate the work done within each bilateral agreement, network or joint programme

How to measure/assess? • Existence of a strategic plan for mobility, indicating goals and priorities for the institution • Allocation of clear academic responsibilities for each bilateral agreement, network or joint programme: contacts, meetings, visits, planning and recognition of study abroad, tutoring of incoming students… • Incentives for the academics involved • Allocation of administrative responsibilities for the management of agreements, networks or joint programmes • Opportunities for professional enhancement for the administrators involved.

Conclusions revisiting well known concepts and well established experiences with quality in mind may raise awareness clarify goals and improve current practice

Italian Bologna Experts’ website www. bolognaprocess. it