Understanding

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Understanding international students online
use Hilary Hughes Central Queensland
University Brisbane International Campus
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International students and their use of online
resources Introduction ...

• Project overview
• Project findings
• Implications for IL

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• Project overview

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International students and their use of online
resources Project title ...

• International students and their use
• of online resources A cross-cultural
• perspective on information retrieval
• Master of IT (Research), QUT
• Supervisors A/Professor Christine Bruce
• Mr Michael Middleton
• Completion July 2005

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International students and their use of online
resourcesProject purpose ...

• Gain a deeper understanding of international
  students experience of using online resources
• Identify particular IL learning needs of
  international students
• Personal professional growth

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International students and their use of online
resources Research questions ...

• How do international students use online
  resources tools for study?
• Do they experience difficulties in online use
  that are attributable to linguistic or cultural
  differences?
• What information literacy strategies are needed
  to assist them overcome these difficulties?
• How could online resources be improved to enhance
  use by international students?

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International students and their use of online
resources Project method ...

• Critical Incident Technique
• Semi-structured interviews
• Focus on a recent assignment
• Observed set task
• Library catalogue, Journal database, Internet
• Topic Compile an annotated bibliography on
  effective public speaking techniques for business

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International students and their use of online
resources The participants ...

• 12 participants -
• 1st year international students at CQU Brisbane
• 6 undergrad / 6 postgrad
• Diverse backgrounds
• Malaysia (2)
• Taiwan (2)
• Japan (2)
• South China (1)
• Thailand (1)
• Mexico (1)
• Poland (1)
• Israel (1)
• England (1)

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International students and their use of online
resources

• Project findings

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International students and their use of online
resources Their previous experience ...

• Limited or no previous library use
• General use of internet
• Mostly leisure email
• Almost no use of databases
• Teacher-centred learning
• Dependence on textbooks
• Common characteristics - not limited to
  participants
• of Confucian Heritage background

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International students and their use of online
resources What online resources did they use?

• Internet - used by all participants
• Search engines - Yahoo, Google, Ask Jeeves, MSN
• Some used own language search engines lang
  tools
• Databases - used by 8 participants
• Limited use to 1 or 2 databases each

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International students and their use of online
resources What online resources didnt they use?

• Online catalogue
• 1 participant used catalogue
• Most used books - but browsed shelves
• Specialist databases
• 4 participants used ABS
• 2 participants used Connect 4 (annual reports)
• None used AUSTLII, Global Monitor, CCH etc
• Library website - Online resources links
• 6 used Course Resources Online
• None used Online Reference

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International students and their use of online
resources How did they use online resources?

• Most effective - using internet
• Least effective - using catalogue
• Search strategy
• Little initial planning or topic analysis
• Several used dictionary
• Most used basic search mode
• Limited to 1 or 2 keywords - Some used phrase
  searching
• Some typed in whole topic
• No boolean except AND
• Search results
• Tended to select first items in list -
  uncritically
• Evaluation based mainly on date length of
  article
• Some awareness of commercial nature of internet
  material

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International students and their use of online
resourcesWhat did they find difficult?

• JARGON, ACADEMIC ENGLISH
• SPELLING
• SCANNING UNDERSTANDING RESULTS
• CULTURAL ALLUSIONS
• Selecting database(s)
• Selecting search terms
• Narrowing down search terms
• Information overload
• Navigating web pages
• Commercial nature of internet information
• Technical problems

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International students and their use of online
resourcesHow did they seek help?

• Most participants used -
• Library staff
• Friends
• Some participants used -
• Printed guides online help
• Lecturer
• None used -
• Online tutorial

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International students and their use of online
resources What did they think and feel?

• Negative reactions
• Tired
• Frustrated / Annoyed
• Time-consuming
• We were a bit unsettled when we first started
  moving to databasesback home, high schools, we
  were taught to just quote from the book
  (Malaysian student)
• To sum up - I hate itcause it come up too many
  rubbish and ask me too many time forthe name and
  password (Chinese student)
• Too much computer makes you feel sick
  (Taiwanese student)

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International students and their use of online
resources What did they think and feel?

• Positive reactions
• Time-saving
• Useful / Convenient /Current information
• Satisfied
• Fun
• Good learning experience
• They are good because they provide so much
  information. You can
• use them remotely They can save you a lot of
  time (Israeli student)
• When you dont find the articlesyou feel
  frustrated. But maybe it
• makes you think againand once you get the good
  one (search term) so
• arise many...positive resultsso you feel the
  satisfaction - ah, thats
• good! - and be patient and dont panic,
  continue (Mexican student)

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International students and their use of online
resources Linguistic cultural influences?

• Linguistic factors perhaps have more impact on
  online use
• Cultural factors perhaps have more impact on IL
  teaching/learning
• Note similarities in online experience
• between international local students
• Perhaps differences relate more to degree of
  difficulty than nature of difficulty ?

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International students and their use of online
resources

• Implications for IL

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International students and their use of online
resourcesImplications for IL?

• Recognise internationals diversity of background
  needs
• Theres no one fits all solution
• Allow for limited online experience
• Capitalise on their existing experience skills
• Identify common ground with local students
• IL for international students - as for all
  students - should aim to
• Be needs-driven flexible
• Be curriculum-based
• Develop independent learning
• Instill awareness confidence in online use

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International students and their use of online
resourcesConclusion

• Embrace linguistic cultural differences and
  build on them
• Focus on inclusivity rather than deficit
• Benefits flow to whole student population

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International students and their use of online
resources

• Questions...
• Comments ?

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International students and their use of online
resourcesContact details

• Hilary Hughes
• Campus Librarian
• CQU Brisbane International Campus
• 108 Margaret Street
• Brisbane Q4000
• Phone [phone]
• Email h.hughes_at_bris.cqu.edu.au