Virtual Exchange (VE) involves faculty collaboration and partnership to design collaborative learning opportunities for students.
VE programs provide a method for global engagement through technology. Collaborative and reciprocal learning experiences provide improved context dependent problem-solving skills and offer increased perspective taking, cultural pluralism and empathy building among faculty and student participants in higher education.
COIL is a VE model that connects accredited courses, linking the classrooms of two or more institutions located in a different country or cultural setting. Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) connects students and professors in different countries for collaborative projects and discussions as part of their coursework. COIL Collaborations are developed by partnering professors from different institutions who want to enrich their courses with student interaction and collaborative learning. Professors work together to design and implement the COIL Collaboration, allowing COIL to be customized to meet the needs of any class, in any discipline.
VE plays a vital role in promoting intercultural understanding, language skills, global awareness, creativity and innovation, and digital literacy. It opens doors to new perspectives, fosters collaboration across borders, and prepares individuals for success in a globalized world. Additional benefits are outlined below:
Virtual exchange allows individuals from different cultural backgrounds to engage in meaningful interactions, fostering mutual understanding, empathy, and respect. It promotes dialogue, breaks down stereotypes, and enhances cultural competence, ultimately contributing to an interconnected global society.
Virtual exchange provides opportunities for language learners to practice and improve their language skills in authentic contexts. Through virtual collaboration with native speakers or language learners from other regions, participants can enhance their linguistic abilities, develop fluency, and gain confidence in using the target language.
Virtual exchange exposes participants to diverse perspectives, worldviews, and experiences from around the globe. By engaging with individuals from different countries and cultures, participants gain a broader understanding of global issues, develop a more nuanced worldview, and become better equipped to address global challenges collaboratively.
Virtual exchange can overcome geographical, financial, and logistical barriers, making international education and cultural exchange more accessible to a wider range of participants. It allows individuals who may not have the means or opportunity to travel abroad to engage in cross-cultural learning experiences, promoting inclusivity and expanding educational opportunities.
In an increasingly globalized job market, virtual exchange equips participants with valuable skills that are highly sought after by employers. These include intercultural competence, communication skills, adaptability, teamwork, and a global mindset. Virtual exchange experiences can enhance participants' resumes and contribute to their professional development.
Updated January 29, 2025