Models of Virtual Exchange at the University of Portsmouth

Dr Marta Roldo and Dr Lara Torres

4.00pm to 5.00pm

Virtual exchange programmes have the potential to greatly increase the number and diversity of students who can experience cross-cultural education. Virtual exchange can overcome the barriers that hinder the participation to conventional exchange programmes of students with family commitments, limited financial support, and physical disabilities. Virtual exchange is a new model of mobility that provides an opportunity for cultural exchange that is not limited by bilateral agreements. It is based on collaboration and collective learning with the possibility of experiencing many different cultures at the same time in an open dialogue. Virtual exchange also allows participants to improve their digital skills and prepares them for the workplace of the future.

Session Aims

The aims of the session will be to share our experience of designing and implementing two very different virtual exchange programmes. We will explore:

• the nature of virtual exchange

• the advantages it provides compared to other exchange models

• how virtual exchange can be applied to creative industry courses

• how virtual exchange can be applied to healthcare science courses