International mobility: cultural variations in learning styles and pedagogical support

ICT is a key element of lifelong learning and the internationalization of higher education (HE). An increasing number of HE students are becoming internationally mobile, whether virtually or physically, resulting in increasingly diverse learning situations. As learning situations become more and more diverse, they require a wide-ranging repertoire of pedagogical practices. Within the framework of the Socrates-Minerva funded ESMOS project (Enhancing Student Mobility through Online Support) this paper reports on research into the pedagogical implications for the learning support of international mobility students. Beginning with a brief discussion of international student mobility in the European context, we will then consider the pedagogical implications of supporting mobility students online, followed by an exploration of the study into the support of students in the situations of international exchange and placement and how this is being used to develop a solution for improved didactical support