Virtual Exchange

Virtual Exchange (VE) is a form of virtual mobility characterised by particularly intensive interaction between teachers and students, often across the border of at least two countries. Virtual Exchange aims at uniting students from different universities virtually in collaborative tasks and supporting them in the discussion of specific topics, the exchange of ideas or the joint generation of a product and its presentation.

The purpose of these online workshops is to equip staff to integrate virtual exchanges in the curriculum and forge links with colleagues in other universities to support a virtual exchange.

Workshop 1: Introduction to Virtual Exchange
March 31^st 3-4pm

This workshop includes an introduction to the practice of Virtual Exchange. After a short theoretical introduction, teachers will look at practical examples of the design and planning of Virtual Exchange scenarios in teaching. Specifically, the workshop will address the first steps towards Virtual Exchange, the development and formulation of tasks for Virtual Exchange as well as the learning and teaching support of students during the collaboration in internationally mixed teams. You will be guided to develop your own ideas for their discipline and teaching topics that include and apply the above aspects. 

At the end of the workshop you will be able to:

- explain the concept of Virtual Exchange
- outline examples of practical steps in implementing Virtual Exchange
- reflect on and evaluate different options in relation to your own teaching
- develop and formulate appropriate assignments for a Virtual Exchange 
- explain and prepare how you can support your students in intercultural learning

In preparation for the first workshop, please complete the following steps:
1: Register to attend the workshop on the following Google form before 5pm, March 24th
https://forms.gle/Vb56XaX2zEFJcSV78

2: Watch this video which provides an overview of Virtual Exchanges (11 minutes)
https://ucc.cloud.panopto.eu/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=6b39116e-8a69-4857-a43c-ae54011132f3

3: Watch this video which sets out the instructions for the pre-workshop task (9.54 minutes)
https://ucc.cloud.panopto.eu/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=68db9932-2f5a-4e1d-a555-ae5401656fa1

4: Click on the Ruhr Bochum virtual learning environment to complete a short task. Click on the 'Task and Form' link and then upload your answers via the VLE.
https://ruhr-uni-bochum.sciebo.de/s/MUxhPDrazzETH9G

Recording of workshop 1: https://ruhr-uni-bochum.sciebo.de/s/MUxhPDrazzETH9G#/files_mediaviewer/31-03-2022_recording.mp4

Workshop 2: Choices of Dates (April 27^th 2-4pm; May 5^th 12-2pm; June 10^th 9-11am)

The second workshop serves to connect you with a member of staff in the UNIC Universities Alliance to support you to forge new connections that may result in virtual exchanges. The second workshop will be offered on a number of dates and a sign-up form for Workshop 2 will be circulated to all participants following Workshop 1.

Digital badge on Internationalisation in Higher Education

Staff who engage in workshop 1 and 2 and complete the related tasks have the opportunity to have this effort recognised as a digital badge in Internationalisation. Further details will be provided in Workshop 1 and 2.

Additional Resources
Gutiérrez, B.F., Glimäng, M.R., O’Dowd, R., & Sauro, S. (2021). Mentoring handbook for virtual exchange teachers. Strategies to help students achieve successful synchronous and asynchronous online intercultural communication. Stevens Initiative.