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This volume introduces Virtual Exchange (VE) as an innovative form of online intercultural learning and investigates the myriad of ways VE is being carried out across universities, ultimately arguing for its integration into university internationalisation policies and course curricula.
Against the backdrop of increased digitalisation initiatives throughout universities given the effects of the pandemic, chapters focus not only on providing new research findings, but also on providing a comprehensive introduction and argumentation for the use of VE in university education and also in demonstrating how it can be put into use by both university decision-makers and educators. Reviewing the limitations of the activity, this timely work also fundamentally posits how VE and blended mobility more broadly could be developed in future higher education initiatives.
This book will be of interest to researchers, academics, scholars, and students involved with Open & Distance Education and eLearning, approaches to internationalisation in education, and the study of higher education more broadly. Those interested in innovative methods for teaching and learning, as well as educational research, will also benefit from this volume.
List of contents
1. Introduction. 2. Definitions and origins of Virtual Exchange. 3. University internationalisation and developing global citizenship. 4. An overview of approaches to Virtual Exchange. 5. Impact and learning outcomes of Virtual Exchange. 6. Towards an effective methodology of Virtual Exchange. 7. The role of international offices in Virtual Exchange. 8. Looking to the future of Virtual Exchange in university education.
About the author
Robert O'Dowd is a Marine veteran with thirty years of experience as an auditor, accountant, and financial manager. After the Marines, Robert graduated from Temple University. Originally from Pennsylvania, he enlisted in the Marine Corps at age 19, served in the 1st, 3rd, and 4th Marine Aircraft Wings in 52 months of active duty in the 1960s. Most of the 75 men in his Parris Island boot camp platoon were assigned to the 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune. The wells at Lejeune were contaminated with toxic organic solvents and benzene for over 30 years. He spent 20 months in the most contaminated portion of MCAS El Toro, an EPA Superfund base, working and sleeping on duty watch in a Radium 226 contaminated hangar, and drinking, showering, and cleaning with water contaminated with organic solvents, benzene, and multiple toxic chemicals. He has been seriously ill since 1986, surviving two bladder cancers, prostate cancer, jaw cancer, hemorrhagic radiation cystitis, peripheral polyneuropathy, hyperprolactinemia, and other debilitating medical conditions. Despite these medical conditions, he continued to work full-time until forced to retire from the Defense Logistics Agency in November 1996. After retiring from DLA, he wrote for Veterans Today and Salem-News.com. As a result of military service, Robert is a 100% disabled Veteran for many years (2009). After reviewing his medical history and a lengthy medical examination in 2017 a doctor skilled in environmental exposures told him that "you should be dead. You need to ask God why you're still alive."
Summary
This volume introduces Virtual Exchange (VE) as an innovative form of online learning and investigates the myriad ways VE is being carried out across universities, ultimately arguing for the integration of VE into university internationalisation policies and course curricula.
Report
"Robert O'Dwod is one of the pioneer advocates and scholars of virtual exchange. In this book he provides a valuable introduction and overview of the important role of virtual exchange in the internationalisation of higher education."
Hans de Wit, Distinguished Fellow and Professor Emeritus, Boston College Center for International Higher Education
"This incredibly accessible and well-researched volume provides a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of virtual exchange and its possible applications as a form of internationalisation at home. It targets a wide range of stakeholders including teachers, international relations staff and educational decision makers and will no doubt be an invaluable resource."
Francesca Helm, University of Padova, Italy
