An approach to the internationalisation of the curriculum: Sino–British joint efforts for three online courses

Abstract

With a view to facilitating good practice and enhancing further exchanges and collaboration with the Open University UK, the Open University of China initiated a joint programme of training to offer online tutors and academic management staff three courses: Student Support, Tutoring On-line, and Course Design. The programme brought in not only a new learning mode and a new learning management system, but also new ideas and new assessment mechanisms, which created a positive impact on the reform of teaching and learning in the Open University of China. This paper will reflect on the implementation of the programme to explore the value of international collaboration and to look at changes that have taken place in both tutors and trainees. Through analysing feedback from both tutors and trainees, we can appreciate the potential significance of the joint programme and reflect on our own practice. The paper will also indicate some of the defects of the programme – our students expected more relevant content – and more involvement on the part of the UK experts, so that we can further explore improvements and join hands for meaningful collaboration.