Virtual Exchange Training

The Fall 2024 Virtual Exchange Training application is now open

APPLY HERE

This training program helps faculty design and incorporate virtual international content and communication activities into existing courses. Through virtual exchange, faculty can connect their UF classes with students and faculty abroad to collaborate on assignments, acquire global perspectives on a given discipline, and develop intercultural competence skills.

If you would like to learn more about the Virtual Exchange Training, please register for one of our upcoming information sessions:

See Information Sessions

 

Virtual Exchange Training Details

Please see the table below for more information on what will be covered in the training. Please click here to view the Fall 2024 syllabus.

Training Content
Synchronous Session 1
  • Course introduction/overview
  • Virtual exchange (VE) elements and structure
  • Common challenges implementing VE
Module 1
Introduction to Virtual Exchange
  • Recognize different formats for virtual exchange
  • Explain the benefits of virtual exchange
  • Define potential topics for your virtual exchange
Module 2
Preparing for Virtual Exchange
  • Recognize the traits that make two virtual exchange partners compatible
  • Schedule synchronous sessions while accounting for time zones
  • Define strategies for navigating language differences
  • Identify resources to encourage students to examine and develop their intercultural competency
Module 3
Sequencing & Task Design
  • Recognize the elements of measurable student learning objectives
  • Apply telecollaborative task design theory to virtual exchange using the typology of 12 different types of tasks and task sequences identified by O’Dowd and Waire
  • Recognize the process for choosing technology for VE and resources available at UF to help
  • Identify resources and services at UF that will assist in the development of virtual exchanges
Synchronous Session 2
  • Develop elements of a virtual exchange lesson plan
  • Describe resources and services at UF that will assist in the development of virtual exchanges
Virtual Exchange Project Plan Submission
  • Complete a virtual exchange lesson plan

Eligibility:

  • Tenured and tenure-track UF faculty, lecturers, and other non-tenured faculty who have ongoing teaching appointments in an undergraduate or graduate degree-granting unit. Applications from adjunct faculty will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Visiting faculty are not eligible.
  • Staff with responsibilities that involve running student educational programming (i.e., Student Life staff) are eligible.

Mode:

  • Online training requires 5 hours of independent work plus two 1.5 hour synchronous sessions, which will consist of online interaction with facilitators, other course participants, and/or international partners.
  • Synchronous sessions will be held the week of September 9-13 and the week of October 14-17. Specific dates and times for the synchronous sessions will be determined based on the availability of participants.

Deliverable:

  • Proposal for a virtual exchange module to be implemented within 2 semesters

Award:

  • All participants will receive a digital badge upon completion of the program. UF Faculty will receive $500 in professional development funds pending budgetary approval. This training counts for 500 miles toward the Global Teaching and Learning Certificate. 

Duration:

  • 8-hour online training, taking place over seven weeks

Important Dates:

  • Application Deadline: July 15, 2024
  • Program Dates: September 9-October 25, 2024

Requirements:

  • Complete the Virtual Exchange Training Application Form.
  • An international partner is strongly recommended but not required. Assistance finding a partner is available through the course organizers. Please contact Carrie Martins at cmartins@ufic.ufl.edu as early as possible if you would like help finding a partner.

Questions:

Office of Global Learning, Carrie Martins – cmartins@ufic.ufl.edu