A Presentation at the annual NAFSA Conference, Denver, 2016.

1. iMOOC 101: https://www.coursera.org/courses/imooc
iMOOC 102: https://www.coursera.org/learn/imooc
A systematic review of competencies
needed for international students and
working professionals to successfully
navigate U.S. online learning and
virtual work environments
The iMOOC Project:
Dr. Val Chukhlomin
Dr. Bidhan Chandra
Dr. Anant Deshpande
Center for Distance Learning
SUNY Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, New York
Contacts:
iMOOC@esc.edu

2. Online = Global
!Source:
Iconfinder.com

3. Online = Global
Sources:
Iconfinder.com
www.bealocalist.org
?

4. Online global learning adjustments
One lecturer (program,
institution) projecting to the
whole world (MOOC)
The lecturer
must adjust
A divided online classroom
(a SUNY COIL model)
Both sides must
learn how to adjust
A non-U.S., international online
student in an all-U.S. virtual
classroom (an IDL model)
The student needs
to adjust

5. International online learners
in U.S. universities
• 33,561 students from abroad take regular, for-credit
online courses in U.S. universities
(NCES, 2012)
• 974,926 international students are studying in the U.S.
(IIE Open doors, 2014/2015)
• 1/3 of students in the U.S. take at least one online course
(Babson survey, 2014)
• Closely related populations:
– First generation immigrants in U.S. educational institutions
– Working professionals outside of the U.S. employed by U.S. companies.
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6. Denver, June 2, 2016
Institutional Context: Empire State College
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 A SUNY solution for
working professionals
 Accredited by Middle
States
 34 locations around
New York State
 Over 18,000 students
 A large online program
(10,000 students)
 Small classes (up to 25)
 Writing intensive,
student-centered, self-
directed learning
www.esc.edu
New York City
Pennsylvania
Canada

7. Typical barriers for IDL students
• Organizational (distance, textbook delivery, costs)
• The use of technology in distance learning environments
• Language, culture, expected role and behaviors
• Academic system, classroom structure
• Academic writing, oral communications, formats
• Professional language and contexts
• Self-directed learning, motivation, time management.
Chukhlomin, V., Deshpande, A., & Chandra, B. (2013). Strategies for bridging
cross-cultural barriers for international students’ success in American
asynchronous online degree programs. The South African Journal of Higher
Education, 27(6), pp. 1477-1486.
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8. 8
commons.suny.edu

9. Goals
• Attract and retain international online learners
o Better understand barriers for IDL
o Learn how to overcome barriers
o Develop a competency-based approach
o Identify and map required competencies
o Design competency gap detection tools
o Suggest self-developmental techniques
• Create a multiuser online platform
o OER + Coursera xMOOC
o + Partner universities
• CDL+IP, SUNY-wide and beyond.
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10. iMOOC as a multiuser online platform
• A MOOC for INTERNATIONAL students
• An INTEGRATED MOOC
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On-
Demand
COURSERA
xMOOC
Partners
U.S.
CDL
course
Partners
abroad

11. 11

12. 12

13. Some highlights
• Pilot length: 6 weeks (March 23 - May 2, 2015)
• Students: 4,671; countries: 141
• Original content guides (23 units, 83 elements)
• Videos (85+)
• 27 self-assessments
• Self-reflective final paper (peer assessed)
• Discussions: 16 pages of threads, 1,300+ posts
• Student-generated videos
• Statements of Accomplishment:
• Survey and assessment.

14. Primary audiences
1. International (non-U.S.) students residing outside of
the U.S. and studying online at U.S.-based colleges
(universities)
2. International (non-U.S.) professionals residing
outside of the U.S. and working remotely for a U.S.-
based company or organization.
3. Incoming to the U.S. international students
4. U.S.-based working professionals interested in
refining professional skills
14
159
77
39
43
20
Total: 338

15. Barriers
Personal
attributes
Technology
Language
and Culture
Academic
System
Communicating
Ideas
Professional
Contexts

16. Major barriers Some examples of challenges for non-native learners
Technology - Unfamiliar with specific ways of using technology
- Unfamiliar with technical terminology used in U.S.
- Not skilled in communications with U.S.-based
helpdesks and IT personnel
- Not skilled in conducting teleconferences
Language and
Culture
- Not skilled in the use of American English
- Unfamiliar with idioms, professional slang
- Unfamiliar with American culture, ways of doing
things, expected behaviors
- Cannot adjust to the way American classes function
Communicating
ideas
- Unfamiliar with ways of discussing/debating things
- Not sufficiently skilled in academic writing
- Unaware of academic integrity requirements
- Unaware of the need to use style manuals
- Lack of presentation skills

17. Major barriers Some examples of challenges for non-native learners
Academic
systems
- Unfamiliar with the organization of American education
- Do not know how to use the college intranet
- Not aware of typical classroom roles, expected
behaviors
- Not used to learning independently
- Do not know how to get academic support
Professional
contexts
- Didn’t take required prerequisites
- Unfamiliar with the organization of professional life
- Not experienced in conducting teamwork activities
- Do not know local professional contexts, legislations.
Local contexts - Unaware of local contexts, events, popular themes
Personal
attributes
- Insufficient motivation
- Low self-efficacy (self-belief)
- Not used to self-regulated, active learning
- Close mindedness, low interest to other cultures
- Unable to change.

18. A competency-based approach
to overcome barriers
1. To overcome barriers and master American eLearning,
non-native students need to develop a set of
competencies
2. Competency: an ability to perform tasks based on
awareness, knowledge, skills and attitudes (AKSA)
3. 6 majors competency areas (technology, language and
culture, U.S. academic systems, communications and
professional contexts, personal attributes)
4. Barriers are conceptualized as AKSA gaps; to help
students detecting gaps, we use a self-diagnostic tool
designed for this course.
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19. Key
Competencies
Personal
skills and
attitudes
Technology
Language
and
Culture
Social and
Academic
Systems
Communicating
Ideas
Professional
Contexts
Self-Management
Self-Regulation
Hardware
Software
E-Communications
Intranet
LMS
Academic Support
E-library
Online learning
centers
Web conferencing
English
American English
Slanguage
Professional
language
National culture
Organizational
culture
Local contexts
Conflict resolution
U.S. Education
Transcripts, credits
Policies, procedures
Computer-
mediated
communication
Academic
writing
Style manuals
Presentations
Discussions
Academic
integrity
Leadership
Teamwork
Professional
contexts
Legal
environment
Frameworks
Prerequisites
Ethics
Communities
American classroom
Roles, expectations
Grading, exams
Self-Directedness
Motivation

21. Marketing, branding
• Course logo
• Course poster
• Course homepage
• Facebook
• Outreach (Metro)
• SUNY GLOBAL
• ICDE
• Department of State.
Thanks to ESC OCGR!

22. Organized “satellite” groups
• ESC International Programs
• SUNY New Paltz (two cohorts)
• EducationUSA and American corners in Indonesia
In search for new partners!
• Orientation for outgoing students to the U.S.
• Support for dual degree programs with U.S. colleges
• An ESL resource
• A community of practice for educators (researchers).

23. iMOOC: Expected learning outcomes
• Identify and examine key competency areas needed to
effectively navigate U.S. online learning and work
environments.
• Identify required levels of proficiency in each
competency area in terms of awareness, knowledge,
skills and attitudes.
• Explain how potential gaps in awareness, knowledge,
skills and attitudes can result in forming barriers to
learning and work performance in U.S. online learning
and work environments.
continued on the next slide
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24. Expected learning outcomes (continued)
• Discuss effective strategies, best practices, skill-building
techniques and available resources that can be used to
eliminate gaps and alleviate barriers.
• Assess perceived levels of proficiency in each
competency area, identify gaps in awareness,
knowledge, skills and attitudes and develop individual
strategies for improvement.
• Develop self-directed learning skills to perform more
effectively in U.S. online learning and work environments
and enhance employability skills.
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25. Linked to a CDL, credit-bearing course

26. Learner’s behavior

28. Age

34. Questions?
Thank you for attending this session!
The courses are accessible at:
iMOOC101: https://www.coursera.org/courses/imooc
iMOOC102: https://www.coursera.org/learn/imooc
On the photo: The iMOOC101 course development team,
Saratoga Springs, NY. November 2014