Effect of interactions between demographic variables and learning traits on international students' performance

This research study investigated approaches by international students from vastly different educational, cultural and linguistic backgrounds to learning and their academic performance in Foundation Studies (FS) at RMIT University. This paper explores the effect of the interactions between various demographic variables and learning traits on students' performance under Traditional method of Teaching and Learning (TTL) and Problem Based method of Learning (PBL). Most universities around the world run Foundation Programs (FPs) as a bridging course between high/secondary schools and undergraduate studies with the aim of improving the quality of international student intakes for university undergraduate studies. Discipline-based and lecture dominated TTL is gradually giving way to PBL in many universities. This research study addresses the question 'Are there different teaching and learning techniques more appropriate to international students studying in an English dominated study environment?'. The effects of the magnitude of interactions between demographic variables and learning traits on students' performance have been discussed at length. The magnitude of the effect of the treatment was calculated by using effect size calculations. Effect sizes were calculated by using Cohen's d with Hedges g correction. Interesting effects were observed on students' performance due to the interaction between demographic variables and learning traits. 2 This research study raises interesting and challenging questions about the provision of teaching and learning practices, which may enhance international students' learning.