MAKE IT WORK! International Virtual Internships International Conference on Telecollaboration 13 February 2014 Mariet Vriens LIMEL KU Leuven
CONTEXT AND DEFINITIONS
Virtual mobility “a set of ICT supported activities that realize or facilitate international, collaborative experiences in a context of teaching and/or learning”” additional form of mobility, not a substitute for physical mobility
International internships Part of a curriculum in tertiary education Three phases before, during and after Three stakeholders student, study programme and company Intercultural / international competencies (or at least: “awareness”)
Why? Enlarging accessibility of international internships Offer more flexibility Better student follow-up and coaching Enhance quality control Cost-effective access to new knowledge, foreign markets and native speakers
CONDITIONS FOR SUCCESS
Conditions for success Student characteristics: High metacognitive skills Experience with virtual communication Highly motivated Qualitative tasks In line with student’s expectations Achievable and challenging Authentic and of importance to the company Suitable for distance work
Conditions for success Qualitative e-coaching: clear agreements about goals and roles following an established communication protocol Avoid strict one-on-one setting Commitment of all actors: managerial support prior written contract Integration of the human factor: Face-to-face contact if possible Synchronous communication Non-task-related communication
IMPLEMENTATION AND EXPLOITATION
- a framework / umbrella concept for supporting and facilitating international internships at-a- distance The Pathway platform
supports matchmaking between students and companies supports the creation of an internship charter enables a close follow-up of interns from a distance supports online communication and collaboration provides guidelines and advice about the organization of virtual internships
The Pathway platform 1.Registration 2.Matchmaking 3.Internship charter 4.Internship monitoring 5.Internship assessment
Pathway: registration
Pathway: matchmaking
Pathway: guidelines and advice
Pathway: the charter
Pathway: the internship
Pathway: after the internship
Platform implementation → Pilot project in the field of IT and marketing: HEI and student stakeholder group vs. business stakeholder group → dedicated marketing → start with study programmes
PATHWAY.SEKOIALEARN.COM