What is Virtual Exchange? by UNICollaboration Training https://padlet.com/unicollabtraining/bbv3rvs85wtp5c28 After watching the Evolve video and looking at the summaries we have shared with you, what do you think VE is? Click on the pink circle at the bottom right of the wall and add your comment. en-us 2023-01-12 11:12:09 UTC 2023-02-20 12:51:44 UTC hello@padlet.com Jenny O'Connor jmoconnor2 https://padlet.com/unicollabtraining/bbv3rvs85wtp5c28/wish/2459783571 Virtual exchange is the collaboration of students from different countries on an aspect of their coursework. It can take many forms (i.e. be discipline-specific, or cross-disciplinary; count towards final marks or be designed for those who are curious and willing, etc.) and be synchronous or asynchronous. Where time barriers don't pose a problem, getting students to connect with one another on a personal level enhances the working relationship. Where this is not possible, new technologies and carefully planned activities can ensure that asynchronous connections are also beneficial, and it is hoped in all cases that students gain an insight into the lived experience of students in other countries and the way in which other cultures address specific issues and problems.]]> 2023-01-28 13:26:58 UTC https://padlet.com/unicollabtraining/bbv3rvs85wtp5c28/wish/2459783571 Veronica Kelly https://padlet.com/unicollabtraining/bbv3rvs85wtp5c28/wish/2464428184 My understanding of virtual exchange is it encompasses anything from discipline specific to cross disciplinary collaborations. The skills students get to practic and develop are essential life skills , developing global and cultural awareness- using digitial technology. This can be synchronous, asynchronous, in person.
Without careful managment, planning and thought through project design there can be difficulties. ]]> 2023-02-01 11:36:20 UTC https://padlet.com/unicollabtraining/bbv3rvs85wtp5c28/wish/2464428184 After reading the summaries on the 10 partnerships, it seems to me that in most cases VE was a very valuable exchange experience. It allowed groups of students with different cultural backgrounds and technical expertise to interact and exchange information and ideas. It can be ideal for the creation of interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary projects. It obviously involves technical, linguistic, and cultural challenges, but I think that it's worth the investment in time and resources. The pedagogical design element seems very important, as well as the technical and cultural guidance of the tutors. It seems like a great antidote against the increasing 'othering' and division we see in our society. I would consider using VE in my intercultural classes. annamonicabeatrice1 https://padlet.com/unicollabtraining/bbv3rvs85wtp5c28/wish/2464429661 2023-02-01 11:37:54 UTC https://padlet.com/unicollabtraining/bbv3rvs85wtp5c28/wish/2464429661 denisemcallisterwylie https://padlet.com/unicollabtraining/bbv3rvs85wtp5c28/wish/2465915841 I would understand VE to be an online collaboration between students from at least two universities in different countries/ locations. Students work together using digi-tech to achieve a (not necessarily common) project goal and this collaboration helps them to learn to work together as well as hearing different perspectives. The hope would be that through this sharing of ideas and experiences, working in a multicultural learning space and possibly a second language, students would have an experience that either prepares them for study abroad or at least provides them with some of the benefits of study abroad (access to other cultures, using language in an authentic setting, raising global awareness).]]> 2023-02-02 10:25:51 UTC https://padlet.com/unicollabtraining/bbv3rvs85wtp5c28/wish/2465915841 From our reflections and discussion in the last workshop and the case lets, I understand VE to be a powerful medium to foster cross-cultural interactions broadly online besides the option of including F2F and Blended components. This takes place across two or more institutions (different campuses of the same institution, different institutions in the same or different countries; synchronous and/or asynchronous) and can easily be interdisciplinary. VE is not an alternative to physical mobility but complements it. A great way to internationalise at home. It widens access to a larger cohort of the student community by equipping them with the multicultural competencies that make them future-ready. It definitely involves careful planning and organisation to make it successful! Thanks, Nidhi Piplani Kapur https://padlet.com/unicollabtraining/bbv3rvs85wtp5c28/wish/2488461577 2023-02-20 12:51:44 UTC https://padlet.com/unicollabtraining/bbv3rvs85wtp5c28/wish/2488461577