Title:	EMPLOYING VIRTUAL COLLABORATIVE EXCHANGES TO EXPAND GLOBAL AWARENESS
Author(s):	Sandra Poindexter , Ray Amtmann , Tawni Ferrarini
ISBN:	978-972-8924-95-9
Editors:	Kinshuk, Demetrios G Sampson, J. Michael Spector,Pedro Isaías and Dirk Ifenthaler
Year:	2009
Edition:	Single
Keywords:	Collaborative learning, virtual exchanges, global awareness
Type:	Full Paper
First Page:	289
Last Page:	295
Language:	English
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Full Contents:	click to dowload
Paper Abstract:	Not all students have the ability to study abroad, yet still value an international experience. This three-year study, based in the United States and Finland, explores the use of the Internet to connect university students in equivalent classes across international borders, completing collaborative assignments requiring student-student virtual dialog and crosscultural reflection. After nine repetitions of virtual exchanges between U.S. and European undergraduate students, quantitative and qualitative results indicate that virtual exchanges, like actual student exchanges, can provide learning opportunities for global awareness. No single pedagogy achieves 100% success and improvements are underway. This paper explains the goals, pedagogy activities connected to international virtual exchanges, results of student feedback and places for improvement and further research. The approach can apply to any discipline at any level. Faculty hesitant about either technology or interference with course structure may be motivated to try this easy-to-use, cost-effective pedagogy to broaden global perspectives that can be scaled up, down, or custom-tailored.
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