Abstract:
In this multiple case study (n= 8) with process orientation (Yin, 2003) in-depth interviews were conducted annually over a three-year period with undergraduate students from eight countries at an international university. They had been purposely selected to reflect a mix of learning approaches, gender and discipline areas. Interviews probed students about their instructional experiences, such as evaluation of teaching, assessment preferences and preparation, adaptation of learning approaches and plans for the future. The systematic content analysis was aimed at comparing responses across learning approaches, gender and discipline areas.
Results indicated commonalities across learning approaches, gender and discipline areas in terms of assessment preparation, certain elements of satisfaction with teaching, motivation for study and changes in career plans. Differences emerged concerning preferences of assessment methods, reasons for dissatisfaction with certain elements of teaching and the degree of adaptation of the learning approach depending on the course taken.
Keywords: Assessment, instruction, international students, change over time, multiple case study, learning approaches
Results indicated commonalities across learning approaches, gender and discipline areas in terms of assessment preparation, certain elements of satisfaction with teaching, motivation for study and changes in career plans. Differences emerged concerning preferences of assessment methods, reasons for dissatisfaction with certain elements of teaching and the degree of adaptation of the learning approach depending on the course taken.
Keywords: Assessment, instruction, international students, change over time, multiple case study, learning approaches