An international online collaborative learning project for occupational therapy students: A mixed-methods study

Internationalization-at-home facilitates intercultural learning and cultivates global citizenship opportunities for students in higher education while in their home environments. The International Discussions in Occupational Therapy (i-DOT) project is an annual, online collaborative learning initiative that supports occupational therapy education. This study aims to assess the benefits of the i-DOT project and identify factors influencing student participation. A convergent mixed methods design was used. Quantitative survey data and qualitative focus groups and/interviews were gathered from occupational therapy students and educators involved in the project. Data were collected from 139 students who completed an online questionnaire and 14 students and educators who participated in the focus groups or interviews. Reported benefits included improved social and interpersonal skills, professional, and academic development, and increased diversity awareness. Most students indicated that these outcomes would not have been achieved through engagement with peers from their own country alone. Challenges to participation were attributed to logistical issues and participant-related difficulties. Participation in the i-DOT project enabled equitable international engagement for occupational therapy students. Despite participation barriers, occupational therapy students enhanced their learning and developed skills essential for independent professional practice.

本土国际化（Internationalization-at-home）可助力高等教育阶段的学生在本土环境中开展跨文化学习，并为其培育全球公民素养提供契机。作业治疗（Occupational Therapy）国际研讨项目（i-DOT）是一项年度性线上协作学习计划，旨在为作业治疗教育领域提供支持。本研究旨在评估i-DOT项目的实施效益，并厘清影响学生参与该项目的相关因素，研究采用聚合式混合研究设计方法。研究从参与该项目的作业治疗专业学生及教育者处，收集了量化问卷数据与焦点小组座谈、访谈质性资料，共回收139份学生在线问卷，以及14份来自学生与教育者的焦点小组座谈或访谈资料。参与者反馈的项目效益包括社交与人际沟通能力提升、专业与学术能力发展，以及多元文化意识的增强。多数学生表示，仅与本国同伴开展互动无法达成此类学习成果。参与该项目面临的挑战主要源于后勤保障问题及参与者自身相关困难。参与i-DOT项目可让作业治疗专业学生获得公平的国际交流机会。尽管存在参与壁垒，作业治疗专业学生仍通过该项目实现了学习提升，并掌握了独立从业所需的核心技能。