Virtual Exchange
Virtual Exchange (VE), also known as Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), is an innovative teaching approach that connects students and professors across universities worldwide through technology. Virtual Exchange takes place within two or more courses taught by professors in different countries and can last from a few weeks to an entire semester. Through both live and flexible online interactions, students engage in meaningful discussions, exchange diverse perspectives, and collaborate on projects that are graded by their respective professors. This experience enhances global awareness, intercultural communication skills, and teamwork, preparing students for an increasingly interconnected world. By leveraging technology, VE provides an accessible and cost-effective way to gain international experience without the need for travel.
See the Center for Teaching and Learning’s virtual workshop “Globalizing Your Classroom Through Virtual Exchange.” Click the image below and sign-in to view.
Visit the VE/COIL Homepage to learn more about our current and past projects!
Examples of Virtual Exchange
- A team-taught course between faculty at two different institutions
- A class-to-class interaction among students on a selected topic
- A shared project assigned to student groups in two different institutions
- Virtual guests or guest lectures to students in a course
Benefits of Virtual Exchange
- Develops intercultural competency in students
- Provides an alternative to students who cannot study abroad
- Builds digital and technological literacy
- Builds faculty networks internationally
- Offers an economical way to bring in content and subject experts
The Office of International Education can help you get started! Please contact us at OIE@utdallas.edu if you are interested in getting involved in Virtual Exchange. We can:
- Assist in finding partner faculty abroad by utilizing our network of exchange partner universities throughout the world.
- Market your course to students through our Comets Abroad Portal, Facebook page, and monthly newsletter.
- If you wish to create an application for your virtual exchange course or project, we can create the application in our Comets Abroad Portal for students to apply. You will have access to review and approve or deny applications. If fees are charged for the virtual course, we can assist in charging those course fees to students.
