McMaster publishes a Faculty Guidebook: Implementing Course-Embedded Virtual Exchanges at McMaster University

Implementing Course-Embedded Virtual Exchanges at McMaster University is a guide that aims to provide the necessary information, resources, and guidelines that enable instructors to incorporate cross-cultural virtual exchange learning initiatives at McMaster University. While the concept of connecting students from different parts of the world using internet-based tools may seem administratively daunting, the ideas, guidelines, and resources provided in this guide can help educators, students, and institutions throughout the process of engaging in global learning. This guidebook is co-authored by Hasan Ahmad, Shaaf Farooq, Paul Leegsma, Nergiz Turgut, and Michael Wong.  

“Facilitating a Virtual Exchange with the Universidad in Ecuador has transformed my classroom by challenging me and my students to consider how cultural and institutional norms shape who we are, our learning, and our understanding of the world. We are excited to share our Virtual Exchange guide, hoping it will inspire others to embrace internationalization in their own classrooms and create a globally interconnected educational experience.” stated Dr. Michael Wong, who has undertaken a series of virtual exchanges with the Universidad San Francisco de Quito, USFQ, since 2021. 

Virtual Global Learning (VGL), also referred to as Virtual Exchange (VE) or Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), is an instructional model where students are given collaborative tasks in partnership with students from other organizations outside of Canada. Collaborative activities embrace flexibility and innovative practices. They may be as short as 2 weeks, between students with shared or different learning outcomes in their respective course, and assignments or learnings can be demonstrated in text, audio, image or video. 

Paul Leegsma stated, “I first heard the terms “COIL” and “Virtual Exchange” in early 2020 as the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for international education were making themselves felt. As professors shifted to online instruction, in terms of internationalization goals (my wheelhouse), COIL/VE also had the advantage of appearing as a readily doable, even organic, extension of the instructional modalities everyone was rushing to use.”  

Students who participated in the Virtual Exchanges also shared their reflections.  Hasan Ahmad, a student from Health Sciences program said, “my classmates are from USFQ, a university in Ecuador. As I met these classmates, learned more about Ecuadorian culture, and built a relationship while finding innovative methods to address some of the largest neuro-related issues in healthcare, these encounters provided an enriched experience that felt missing in my time at McMaster.” 

Through the Office of International Affairs, we can offer support to our faculty: 

• finding and coordinating partnership development; 

• developing your course program and activities; and, 

• funding and accessing other resources for your VGL programs. 

Please use the McMaster Faculty VGL Interest Form, or contact Paul Leegsma for more information.