Online Learning in an International Setting: What?

 

The digitalisation of higher education offers new online learning opportunities within an international environment. Lecturers and study programmes can implement online international collaboration to promote the students’ international and intercultural learning and multiperspectivism without a long-term study abroad experience.

Various formats, with at least as many names, are available to enhance learning in an international setting. All these formats refer to online education (synchronous or asynchronous) that involves students and/or lecturers from diverse geographical backgrounds, languages, and cultures. Ghent University offers three distinct formats: Virtual Mobility, Virtual Exchange, and Blended Mobility. 

These terms are based on ENLIGHT agreements and adhere to international standards. They replace our previous terms (online exchange, online courses, and joint online courses). 

Investing in Online Learning in an International Setting: Why?

It promotes the democratisation of internationalisation. A study programme or lecturer broadens the I@H offer for students while contributing to inclusion, diversity, sustainability and accessibility.

Added Value for Lecturers and Study Programmes

• Partnerships: these teaching formats facilitate the establishment of new international networks and collaboration between students, lecturers, and institutions (previously not open to physical exchange) or strengthen existing ones.
• Enrichment: you can use study materials in your course unit that are unavailable at your home institution. International collaboration opens new ways to include different points of view, new teaching methods and innovative technologies in your teaching practice.
• Inexpensive: online collaboration is a cost-effective method for promoting internationalisation in a study programme. A wide range of free or inexpensive digital tools facilitate online learning in an international environment.
• Sustainable: online learning is a more sustainable alternative to physical study-abroad initiatives.
• Flexible: online education, particularly asynchronous teaching, enhances the lecturer’s schedule flexibility. Classes are no longer tied to a physical location, either.  A virtual setting is well-suited for large student groups (scalability).

Added Value for Students

• Inclusion and stimulation: you increase access to international and intercultural learning opportunities for all students without an extended stay abroad. As the threshold is relatively low, you will reach students who (whatever the reasons) cannot or will not go abroad. It might also give students a taste of internationalisation and encourage them to participate in other initiatives, such as physical mobility.
• Multiperspectivism: you bring together various perspectives and cultures (through collaborative learning, if possible).
• Learning process: in specific formats, the students take centre stage in their learning process, meaning that learning is achieved mainly by self-management and interaction with international peers. This will boost student satisfaction and interest.
• Generic competencies: students can acquire various generic competencies, such as diversity competencies, language proficiency in several languages, digital competencies, interdisciplinary competencies, problem-solving skills, collaboration, critical thought, etc.

Pitfalls

Beware of the challenges and pitfalls of online learning in an international context:

 

• Workload: adapting your study materials and teaching approach to a digital setting and a diverse international audience requires extra effort and can be time-consuming. However, many hands make light work.
• Commitment: enhancing student commitment and motivation in an online setting can be challenging due to limited personal interaction, a sense of community, and the absence of body language.
• Power and exclusion: an online setting is no neutral ground. Power dynamics and inequality can play a role here, too. Students carry with them different social realities that will influence their learning experiences. Online formats are not inclusive by definition: different degrees in digital literacy, command of English, internet access, etc., will determine how and what knowledge, ideologies, institutional norms and expectations are conveyed.

 

Download this education tip as a pdf here. 

Want to Know More?

• Virtual Mobility
• Virtual Exchange
• Blended Mobility