Please note that abstract proposals are welcome from all colleagues working in this area - not only those who have been involved in the EVALUATE project.

A PDF version of this CfP is available here.

Virtual Exchange involves the engagement of groups of learners in extended periods of online intercultural interaction and collaboration with partners from other cultural contexts as an integrated part of their educational programmes. In recent years, interest in Virtual Exchange as an educational approach in primary, secondary and university contexts has grown dramatically.

The EVALUATE project has explored the impact of Virtual Exchange on students on Initial Teacher Education across Europe and also has organised a comprehensive training programme for teacher trainers. In the closing conference, the project team welcome research- and practice-based presentations related to the theme of teacher education in Virtual Exchange. Presentations may focus on issues related to the use of Virtual Exchange in Initial Teacher Education (pre-service training) or ongoing professional development contexts (in-service training). Presentations related to the training of university instructors in Virtual Exchange will also be of interest. We encourage the participation of policy makers and representatives of public authorities working in the area of Initial Teacher Education.

Research or practitioner presentations on the following areas are invited:

• Student learning outcomes of Virtual Exchange in teacher education contexts
• The experiences of teacher trainers new to Virtual Exchange
• The student experience of Virtual Exchange in Initial Teacher Education
• The importance of socio-institutional factors in the success of Virtual Exchange initiatives
• Research and innovation projects and initiatives promoting Virtual Exchange
• Virtual Exchange and its role in the development of digital literacies in Teacher Education
• Intercultural aspects of Virtual Exchange in Teacher Education contexts
• The role of policy in promoting and supporting Virtual Exchange

Presentations which combine the perspectives of students, teachers, researchers and policy makers are particularly encouraged. Proposals concerning Virtual Exchange from all academic disciplines are welcome.

The online abstract submission and registration forms will be available in January 2019 here on this website: https://sites.google.com/unileon.es/evaluate2019/

Any enquiries can be directed to: evaluateprojecteu@gmail.com

Please circulate this announcement to relevant colleagues from all subject areas.