A virtual training for educational staff working on their VIS project

In four training modules participants will learn about the essential elements of designing a collaborative, learner-led exchange process and how to facilitate meaningful intercultural exchange online as a teacher. After an introduction to the Virtual Exchange pedagogy, this training will go into the practical application of the model by setting the learning goals, understanding the positioning of the learner and the teacher, and best practices of designing and planning a group process to enhance meaningful learning. This training will cover several foundational facilitation skills and provide space for practice and reflection on facilitative teaching. Through weekly self-study and four live online group meetings,  participants will experience first-hand how combining synchronous and asynchronous learning components enhances learner engagement. Participants will gain first-hand experience with the tools covered in the training through a collaborative design assignment during ‘Design Lab’. 

Overview

Dates: 2023 (details t.b.a)
Registration deadline: T.b.a
Language: English
Timeslots: T.b.a.
Weekly time commitment: 2hour (live sessions) + 1,5 -2 hour (self study/asynchronous activity)
Total hours: 14-16 (8 in live sessions + 6-8 asynchronous)
Platforms: Canvas/ Zoom
Successful completion: Attend at least 3 out of 4 synchronous sessions & Complete 80% of the module self-study and tasks

Learning objectives

By taking this training, participants will:

• Be able to set learning goals, increase understanding of the role of various learning methods and identify challenges of Virtual Exchange pedagogy;
• Be able to identify essential elements of designing effective virtual intercultural learning;
• Understand the importance of group process in designing virtual exchanges; 
• Be able to design engaging virtual intercultural learning experiences combining asynchronous and synchronous components;
• Understand the role of technology in virtual intercultural learning; 
• Reflect on the teacher role and be activated to think outside the box as a teacher facilitating meaningful intercultural virtual learning; 
• Get introduced to foundational online facilitation skills and practice with facilitation tools 
• Start a creative, collaborative design project during Design Lab.

Modules

Week 1: Introduction to the Virtual Exchange pedagogy 

• Gain knowledge on the Virtual Exchange pedagogy and its benefits;
• Explore the teacher role in a learner-led, collaborative Virtual Exchange approach;
• Increase your understanding of the role technology plays in successful design and implementation of effective virtual intercultural learning experiences;
• Start building your online facilitative teacher toolbox.

Week 2: The role of design & the teacher  

• Deepen your understanding on how to ensure student skill development; 
• Gain knowledge on how to design successful virtual intercultural learning process;
• Explore challenges in designing successful virtual intercultural learning; 
• Increase understanding of the teacher role in a learner-led collaborative Virtual Exchange; process and continue to add tools to your online facilitation toolbox.

Week 3: Foundational online facilitation skills for teachers

• Learn about best practices of this collaborative, learner-led intercultural exchange approach; 
• Further build your project design skills by mapping the specific needs for implementing Virtual Exchange projects going forward;
• Gain knowledge on how to collaborate with other teaching staff on successful virtual international collaboration projects and continue to add tools to your facilitation toolbox;

Week 4: Get creative!

• Gain knowledge on the best practices of this collaborative, learner-led intercultural exchange approach;
• Further build your project design skills by mapping the specific needs for implementing Virtual Exchange projects going forward;
• Complete the collaborative design project and finalize your online facilitation toolbox.

Attendance & participation 

Trainees are expected to be available on the preferred timeslot for the full duration of the training (4 weeks) and participate actively in the online group sessions with working video and audio. In between training sessions, materials are provided in the virtual learning environment to review. 

Trainees are required to:

• Attend at least 3 out of 4 synchronous sessions;
• Complete 80% of the module self-study tasks.