The Design of a Virtual Exchange Project: A Way to Connect Preservice Teachers Across Borders

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 2
  In Poster Session: Intersections Among Technology, Instruction, Cognition, Learning, and More

Abstract

Intercultural communication is fast becoming a requisite skill in a global, mediatized world, as people need to learn to collaborate with colleagues from around the globe. Digital collaboration technologies, such as Skype, WhatsApp, and FlipGrid, make it possible to learn with others in an authentic and engaging manner. Instructors are designing curricula to reach these learning outcomes, however there is little research on how to align and implement virtual exchanges with technology integration goals. Results from implementation of a virtual exchange (VE) between two international public universities (in the U.S., and in Turkey) suggest that students enjoyed this exchange, that it facilitated learning about international educational and cultural systems, and that digital technologies mediated their mutual learning process.

Authors

• Nadia Jaramillo, Oregon State University

• Benjamin William Gleason, Iowa State University