Virtual exchange : Future-ready teaching of multiliteracies across borders and cultures

Abstract

Virtual exchange is an online form of internationalization at home. Students from different countries collaborate in small, international groups on tasks joined by a common theme. They combine their expertise when solving problems together. The teachers act as mentors, providing facilitation and support for the students during the virtual exchange. The student teams work independently by selecting the tools for the collaboration, allocating the tasks and creating the group’s final product. Virtual exchange is a transnational learning opportunity which enables students to learn and practice how to efficiently combine and make use of their digital, visual, critical, linguistic and intercultural competencies (Boche, 2014) in order to feel ready for and empowered in workinglife.