SOCIAL WORK-VIRTUAL CAMPUS

1. This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. SOCIAL WORK-VIRTUAL CAMPUS SW-VirCamp International Specialization SW-VirCamp Consortium Meeting. Vitero. 22-23 april 2010 .

2. Presentation by: • Remmelt Veenkamp • Wp 1 Leader. • School of Social Work. INHolland University of Applied Science (Haarlem, Netherlands)

3. Starting points and Aims of SW-Vircamp • Those were already presented by Anne Karin Larsen in her overview

4. The Presented model of an International Specialization: • Part 1: The first 1.5 years of study, (or 2.5 years if the BA is 4 year) students will study at their home university. • Part 2: After this, students who register for the IS participate in international e-learning courses (30 ECTS credits) • Part 3: Students who have started on the IS continue the next semester with study abroad/placement abroad at one of the partner institutions/countries (30 ECTS credits). • Part 4: Students return to their home university and participate in the national programme. They complete their education by writing their BA thesis (in English) on a comparative international theme in SW.

5. Partners Positions towards a joint IS:

6. Points of discussion: • Essential in the time path in this IS is the theoretical part. This has to be tuned between the participating partners. The practical placement part, and the research part/ final thesis, can be done in the perspective of the specific time paths ( 3 – 4 year curriculum program) of each institution • Flexibility towards the content of the Theoretical part. Beside Virclass partners offer other International orientated programs. It should be possible for students to take part in those courses instead of the e-learning courses.

7. Points of discussion: • The time path of the presented IS model demands that there has to be made an adjustment to the current structure of M1 & M2, to fit this into the period of the spring semester in the 2nd year. • The holiday period of the German partners in the beginning of the spring semester ( February) can cause problems for German students to take part in the theoretical part of the IS • English language skills of students, as well as teachers have to be adequate. English lessons, to improve the writing and speaking skills of students have to be an optional part of curriculum/ the study program.

8. Points of discussion: • A creative solution to solve the language problem in relation to practical placement is that countries of the same language region exchange students ( e.g. Scandinavian countries, Iberian countries) • The number of hours in relation to an ECTS differs between the partner countries. The Vircamp consortium partners which have less hours in relation to the indicated Bologna level of 25-30 hours per ECTS will have to develop additional tasks, to solve this .

9. Points of discussion: • In order to give students the possibility of having practical placement abroad it is necessary that every partner offers min 5 placements in which International students can develop their SW competences. • Number of students able to join the courses. • Some institutions expect low numbers of students admitting for the courses. The IS changes of course the perspective of this for students, but still, recruitment, intake etc need to be discussed.

10. Points of discussion: • Placements possibilities in English by each partner • Studying abroad possibilities by each partner

11. HiB: Internasjonal Specialisationalt.1

12. HiB: Internasjonal Specialisationalt.2

13. HiB: Internasjonal Specialisationalt.3

14. UCM: Internasjonal Specialisationalt.1 (Best alternative)

15. UCM: Internasjonal Specialisationalt.2

16. INHolland university of applied sciences: alt.1