Approaches to Student Learning and Development

Student Learning and Development through Exchange Programmes

 

Short term exchange programmes provide valuable avenues for student and staff development. On those occasions UWI Student Services staff members are exposed to student learning and development programmes offered in the host institutions, shared with colleagues the programmes offered at UWI Mona, discussed common student concerns and methods of addressing the concerns and formulate strategies, and methods for deepening and widening the exchange programmes.

Although each contingent continues to be limited to twelve students and four members of staff, (as a result of budgetary constraints), the programmes are designed so that the visiting groups interact extensively with administrative, academic and Student Service staff members, and a wide cross section of students.

Community interaction at various levels is also built into the programmes. The visiting groups through visits to the Parliaments/State Departments of host countries gain first hand insight into the politics and forms of governments of the countries visited. State officials do presentations, accommodate questions and host the visitors.

Knowledge of the economies of countries visited is gained through tours of factories, farms, scientific research centres, tourist localities and commercial centres.

One of the highlights of the programme continues to be the community services (including the teaching of Spanish and English in the relevant countries) which do not only present the opportunity for service in an international context, but also expose participants to the social realities of countries visited.

Of equal importance are the practical lessons in geography and social studies that are learnt on the visits. Many students experience for the first time, classroom knowledge like a real dormant volcano with a crater lake, an Indian reservation, a farm work programme in action - to name a few.

In the words of one UWI participant, “we learnt in 10 days, what it would take volumes in many libraries to learn”.