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Improving student experiences in higher education is of ongoing interest to colleges and universities across the globe. Non-university higher education institutions (NUHEIs) have outperformed universities in Australian national surveys on student experience. The present study examines qualitative responses of the Student Experience Survey within the context of Alphacrucis College (AC), a faith-based, private NUHEI to provide a contextualised understanding of NUHEIs as well as to explore reasons why NUHEIs outperform universities in most student experience categories. Content analysis revealed several themes in areas of 'best experience' and 'needs improvement.' Results were examined across AQF levels and three study modes, namely online, blended, and on-campus. Findings are discussed in terms of the NUHEI student experience, lecturer training, lecturer performance indicators, and institutional infrastructure.

Exploring the challenges and opportunities associated with the concepts of community and communication in online higher education, this paper reconsiders the intention to replicate face-to-face learning and teaching strategies in online learning environments. Rather than beginning with the assumption that face-to-face education is the prototype for quality, the authors appraise the online learning environment as a unique medium which, by its nature, necessitates unique communication, community-building, teaching and learning strategies. This paper proposes an in-depth analysis of the potential unique affordances associated with online learning contexts as existing in their own right. The concepts of community and communication are explored in relation to online Communities of Practice (CoPs). The nature of face-to-face and online learning contexts are considered, especially in the light of the possibility of redefining "face-to-face" within the online realm, in addition to physical learning contexts. The paper identifies unique ways in which online communication (in the context of learning) is different from face-to-face communication, and consequently four ways in which this can be an advantage for students; namely, there is a measure of social egalitarianism, emphasis on verbal/written proficiency, time for reasoned response, and social agency. The paper provides grounding for further research into strategies that forge rich online learning experiences and suggests an empirical study as a next step.

Developing intercultural communication competence (ICC) is a pursuit that has captured the interest of researchers in several disciplines for a number of decades. The urgency and interest to produce graduates who are ready for the global marketplace has never been more prevalent amongst educators as it is today. This article outlines strategies for developing ICC based on prior research, and articulates a new framework for global graduates based on four understandings: understanding of self, understanding of others, understanding of self's responsibility to others, and understanding of others' contributions to self. Curriculum development and institutional investment considerations are discussed in relation to the proposed framework.

Improving student experiences in higher education is of ongoing interest to colleges and universities across the globe. Non-university higher education institutions (NUHEIs) have outperformed universities in Australian national surveys on student experience. The present study examines qualitative responses of the Student Experience Survey within the context of Alphacrucis College (AC), a faith-based, private NUHEI to provide a contextualised understanding of NUHEIs as well as to explore reasons why NUHEIs outperform universities in most student experience categories. Content analysis revealed several themes in areas of 'best experience' and 'needs improvement.' Results were examined across AQF levels and three study modes, namely online, blended, and on-campus. Findings are discussed in terms of the NUHEI student experience, lecturer training, lecturer performance indicators, and institutional infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the psychometric validation of an Intercultural Communication Competence (ICC) scale. Three studies were performed: (1) psychometric evidence pertaining to the scale's reliability and factor structure and an analysis of the measurement invariance; (2) assessment of convergent and predictive validity; and (3) analyzes the association between ICC and affective and cognitive dimensions of cultural empathy. A three-factor model with eight items yielded the best fit to the data. The scale showed non-invariance between genders, but proved to be a predictor of intercultural contact. Convergent validity were demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploring the challenges and opportunities associated with the concepts of community and communication in online higher education, this paper reconsiders the intention to replicate face-to-face learning and teaching strategies in online learning environments. Rather than beginning with the assumption that face-to-face education is the prototype for quality, the authors appraise the online learning environment as a unique medium which, by its nature, necessitates unique communication, community-building, teaching and learning strategies. This paper proposes an in-depth analysis of the potential unique affordances associated with online learning contexts as existing in their own right. The concepts of community and communication are explored in relation to online Communities of Practice (CoPs). The nature of face-toface and online learning contexts are considered, especially in the light of the possibility of redefining "face-to-face" within the online realm, in addition to physical learning contexts. The paper identifies unique ways in which online communication (in the context of learning) is different from face-to-face communication, and consequently four ways in which this can be an advantage for students; namely, there is a measure of social egalitarianism, emphasis on verbal/written proficiency, time for reasoned response, and social agency. The paper provides grounding for further research into strategies that forge rich online learning experiences and suggests an empirical study as a next step. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]