Quality in mobility: how to measure and

assess it

Maria Sticchi Damiani

Key words for organised mobility: Diversityculture language academic system contents programmes teaching methods

housing food social activities…………. Transparencyacademic programmes services exchange procedures…

Cooperationbetween home and host institution between academics and administratorsbetween learners and teachers………….

Let’s look at

the quality of mobility

with reference to these aspects

Quality of mobility - diversityRecognise 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 - cooperationDevelop 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 mindmay

raise awareness

clarify goals

and improve current practice

Italian Bologna Experts’ website

www.bolognaprocess.it