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Internationalisation and the use of electronic media in teaching and assessment. Live webinars and audio feedback: apparent benefits and drawbacks

Abstract The paper explores two examples of electronic media, the webinar (virtual classroom) and audio feedback. It is argued that both can enhance teaching and learning and contribute effectively to an internationalisation agenda. Real-time webinars using Wimba virtual classroom software are especially suited to widely distributed or international cohorts. The live quality of this approach and its capacity for archiving make it especially attractive to all students. There are also particular benefits to non-native speakers (NNS) as they can listen repeatedly. The use of MP3 files and podcasts is a useful enhancement to the virtual learning environment (VLE), but audio feedback on essays is of specific benefit to individual students, providing rich and detailed commentary on their work. Audio files can be extended to all kinds of tutor-student communication, enriching the possibilities for review and dialogue in the provision of formative as well as summative feedback. The paper concludes that regular application of such technologies can make a vital contribution to institutional competitiveness, improve the learning and teaching experience and meet students’ growing expectations of improved use of ICT. Such initiatives are therefore a key part of the internationalisation agenda.