Internationalising Higher Education and the Role of Virtual Exchange (Routledge Research in Higher Education)

This volume introduces Virtual Exchange (VE) as an innovative form of online intercultural learning and investigates the myriad of ways VE is being carried out across universities, ultimately arguing for its integration into university internationalisation policies and course curricula. Against the backdrop of increased digitalisation initiatives throughout universities given the effects of the pandemic, chapters focus not only on providing new research findings, but also on providing a comprehensive introduction and argumentation for the use of VE in university education and also in demonstrating how it can be put into use by both university decision-makers and educators. Reviewing the limitations of the activity, this timely work also fundamentally posits how VE and blended mobility more broadly could be developed in future higher education initiatives. This book will be of interest to researchers, academics, scholars, and students involved with Open & Distance Education and eLearning, approaches to internationalisation in education, and the study of higher education more broadly. Those interested in innovative methods for teaching and learning, as well as educational research, will also benefit from this volume. Cover Half Title Series Title Copyright Dedication Contents Preface Acknowledgements 1 Introduction COVID-19 and an opportunity for change in international education Who is this book for? How the book is organised Bibliography 2 Definitions and origins of Virtual Exchange Issues of terminology What is Virtual Exchange? What is virtual mobility? What is blended mobility? What is the process of internationalisation in higher education? The origins and growth of Virtual Exchange Theoretical underpinnings of Virtual Exchange Conclusion Bibliography 3 University internationalisation and developing global citizenship Introduction Internationalising university education Implementing internationalisation Internationalisation at Home and Internationalisation of the Curriculum The role of Virtual Exchange in university internationalisation Global citizenship as an outcome of international education Conclusion Bibliography 4 An overview of approaches to Virtual Exchange Introduction Class to class Virtual Exchange Class to world Virtual Exchange Externalised models of Virtual Exchange Combining Virtual Exchange and physical mobility Conclusion Bibliography 5 Impact and learning outcomes of Virtual Exchange Introduction Learning from Virtual Exchange What factors are key to learning in Virtual Exchange? Limitations in Virtual Exchange research Conclusion Bibliography 6 Towards an effective methodology of Virtual Exchange Introduction Integrate Virtual Exchange and blended mobility into the curriculum Develop rich intercultural learning opportunities Integrate reflection with interaction An equilibrium in communication modes Support students’ foreign language needs Conclusion Bibliography 7 The role of international offices in Virtual Exchange Introduction Integrate VE with the institutional strategy for internationalisation Establishing working groups for VE and blended mobility Explain the concept of VE to local teaching faculty Identify and/or establish networks for partner finding Link VE with teacher promotion and recognition of innovation Conclusion Bibliography 8 Looking to the future of Virtual Exchange in university education Introduction Guiding principles moving forward Limitations to Virtual Exchange Next steps Conclusion Bibliography Index "This volume introduces Virtual Exchange (VE) as an innovative form of online learning and investigates the myriad ways VE is being carried out across universities, ultimately arguing for the integration of VE into university internationalisation policies and course curricula. Against the backdrop of increased digitalisation initiatives throguhout universities given the effects of the pandemic, chapters focus not only on providing new research findings, but also on providing a comprehensive introduction and argumentation for the use of VE in university education and also in demonstrating how it can be put into use by both university decision-makers and educators. Reviewing the limitations of the activity, this timely work fundamentally posits how VE and blended mobility more broadly could be developed in future higher education initiatives"-- Provided by publisher