Quality Improvement in Learning and Teaching Project Report

1. Quality Improvement in Learning and Teaching Project Report Title of QILT Project: www.refugeestudies.org Enhancing Performance of Students on the MA in Refugee Studies School: School of Cultural and Innovation Studies Subject Area: Refugee Studies

2. Introduction Project Context • The MA in Refugee Studies has now entered its 10th year of operation. The course has proved to be very successful in student recruitment which has grown to over 40 students annually • A requirement for entry to the course is that students must have suitable experience of work in a refugee related field or demonstrate strong motivation towards this area as a future employment or study area. • A large majority of students already work in paid employment or in a voluntary capacity in refugee support organisations from large national bodies to small community groups. • The QILT project of 2004/5 identified enhancing employment opportunities as a major reason in motivating students to take the MA Refugee Studies course, especially refugee students. • The study reported that the vocational aspect of the course was very important and that existing networking with current and former students who are employed in the field of refugee work was seen as very productive, however, there is currently no means for keeping contact with alumni or for sharing information systematically among current and former students • A large proportion of students, (again particularly refugee students) are mature students and the course takes place in evenings, so opportunities for face to face networking are less readily available than for other students at UEL. • The QILT project of 2005-6 sought to investigate and provide an accessible means of linking students and sharing information, particularly regarding vocational opportunities. www.RefugeeStudies.org - Enhancing the Performance of Students on the Refugee Studies MA

3. Aims and Outcomes Aims: • to investigate systematically the IT needs and capabilities of students on the course • support the Refugee Studies course in recruitment and retention of these students through enhancing employment opportunities available to students • provide networking and information sharing opportunities for current and former students. • to take into account the needs of refugee students Outcomes: At the end of the Project the following changes to current practice in the programme/subject area/School will have been accomplished: • To develop a website enabling students to share information on the course and on related matters, particularly vocational issues. • To provide a solution that is as accessible as possible to the widest selection of students, especially refugee students • To provide a report detailing the project www.RefugeeStudies.org - Enhancing the Performance of Students on the Refugee Studies MA

4. Literature Review Online Resources Research was undertaken on a number of alternative web-based facilities, There are a variety of UK websites that provide information on current refugee issues, some of which fulfil some of the proposed functions of the site but none of which meets all the requirements of the UEL students in terms of networking opportunities, vocational information and accessibility. Academic websites, which are generally adjuncts to academic programmes, Possibly the nearest equivalent project online in terms of academic networking is ICAR postgraduate network, which has unfortunately ceased operations in 2005 due to lack of funding. Organisational websites belonging to national or international agenciesThese tend to be useful for information on specific employment vacancies, but information is not gathered centrally. Mailing lists and other sites based on discussion of various topics are often quite specialised--for example, on legal matters or health; while these lists do usually publish archives online as webpages, they are often only available to registered members or only allow one-way communication. Internal UEL Resources: MA Refugee Studies at UEL homepage -- WebCT UEL’s Online coursework system, includes a forum for discussion and notices – however because WebCT is an internal UEL resource on intranet it is inaccessible to non-students www.RefugeeStudies.org - Enhancing the Performance of Students on the Refugee Studies MA

5. Methodology ImplementationThe implementation of the project was planned to take place in several stages: 1. Initial Consultation - The format of the website was discussed & agreed. 2. Development - beta version of the website and database was structured & implemented 3. Trouble Shooting - beta version of website tested. draft content comprising 50 posts 4. Pre-Launch - beta version of the website was upgraded to final version. 20 early-adopter participants were identified & invited to participate and instructions on accessing the site. 5. Launch - by email to current & former students at the beginning of academic year 6. Promotion – After the initial launch to UEL students, when the site has established its role as a source of information relevant to the concerns of students on the course, details of the site will be distributed to other networks.7. Monitoring - Continuous development based on Qualitative & Quantitative Feedback provided by users – e.g. Topics for discussion, Use of ‘Attachments’. Ongoing Collation & Dissemination of results of research using the Online Questionnaire and the discussion functions. www.RefugeeStudies.org - Enhancing the Performance of Students on the Refugee Studies MA

6. Findings The Project was successful in establishing a website that has met with requirements of the research proposal to use technology provide an information hub for current and former students • To access information about employment and other vocational opportunities • To discuss the course and research issues, and share resources • To share contacts and network • To provide feedback about the course, and about how the student’s experience can be improved. In order to encourage retention of students on the course and enhance their chances of completing of the course, and their employability after completion. The project has been aimed particularly at students from refugee backgrounds who may previously have been disadvantaged and faced difficulties accessing information and opportunities. Some issues were encountered during the project which may provide further research directions. www.RefugeeStudies.org - Enhancing the Performance of Students on the Refugee Studies MA

7. Site Structure General General Discussion • Feel free to talk about anything and everything in this board. Research Resources • Discussion of Issues for Studying, Dissertations, Publications, Academic & Scholarly Discourse Events Employment & Study Opportunities • Jobs & Employment, Vocational Courses & Training, Funding & Scholarships, Volunteering & Internships Conferences, Lectures, Campaigns, Demonstrations • Share & Discuss News of Demos, Conferences, Lectures, Publications & other events in the field QILT Questionnaire • Questions about access to IT facilities for Students. Please complete the Online Questionnaire to help the QILT project assess students' needs QILT Updates • News about the "Quality Improvement in Learning & Teaching" Project to Enhance Students' experience of the Refugee Studies Course www.RefugeeStudies.org - Enhancing the Performance of Students on the Refugee Studies MA

8. Front Page www.RefugeeStudies.org - Enhancing the Performance of Students on the Refugee Studies MA

9. Welcome Page www.RefugeeStudies.org - Enhancing the Performance of Students on the Refugee Studies MA

10. User Questionnaire • Name (optional) • Course • Year in College • Age • Gender • Disabilities • Refugee Status • Do you have access to a computer where you live? • What type of computer do you use at home? • Does your computer have a modem or network connection? • How long have you been using computers? • During a typical week, how much computer activity do you engage in? • Rate your attitude toward the computer • Internet Use - How often do you use each of the following? • Do you ever use any of the following types of website on the internet? • Which type of training would help you to make use of IT facilities? • Which Categories of content and discussion would you like to read about? www.RefugeeStudies.org - Enhancing the Performance of Students on the Refugee Studies MA

11. Questionnaire www.RefugeeStudies.org - Enhancing the Performance of Students on the Refugee Studies MA

12. www.RefugeeStudies.org - Enhancing the Performance of Students on the Refugee Studies MA

13. Site Statistics As of 26th June 2006, 1 month after users were invited to participate in the in the initial development phase, • We have 22 registered users • Our users have posted a total of 107 articles Forum    Topics  Posts • Employment & Study Opportunities 31 37 • Conferences, Lectures, Campaigns, Demonstrations 15 22 • Questionnaire 13 14 • General Discussion 4 11 • Research Resources 6 12 • QILT Updates 6 11 www.RefugeeStudies.org - Enhancing the Performance of Students on the Refugee Studies MA

14. Discussion Points • How to encourage uptake of the site by greater & more diverse proportion of participants by: • age • gender • refugee status • Whether to attempt to ensure that the site remains focussed on UEL specific issues in future, if so how? • What’s the role of the site? Archiving or providing links? - resources implications • Ultimate status of the site’s relationship with UEL ‘This site was funded by UEL QILT 2006’? Integration with www.uel.ac.uk ? • How to access Funding after 2007-8? • Where next for QILT 2007-8? www.RefugeeStudies.org - Enhancing the Performance of Students on the Refugee Studies MA