1. Virtual Intercultural Exchanges in the Classroom Brittany Lehr Elaine Clayton American University, School of International Service, U.S.A.

2. Why interest in virtual exchange? Focus on facilitating intercultural understandings between peoples Coursework Managing intercultural programs Real-world experience via living abroad Relevant internships and jobs Concluded virtual exchange is the future Found Professor utilizing virtual exchanges at American

3. Professor Needs & Rationale Assistance with assessing all aspects of the exchange projects & best practices Undergraduate course in Intercultural Relations

4. Overview of Course Professor connects with schools in Bahrain, Tunisia & Egypt Technology: DVC equipment Choice in class project: U.S. students choose to work with a student group abroad in a business course Professor feels strongly about a hands-off approach

5. Current Assessment Procedure Pre and Post Surveys Data collected from students for the past 5 yrs Trends can be seen in the data

6. To meet new people/make new friends To learn about the other group’s culture To increase other’ understanding of one’s own culture To improve language skills Interest in this new type of project For personal/professional improvement Present our culture. Why did students say they took part in this Virtual Communication project? *Taken from IMI pre-semester survey 2009. Exchange with Bahrain.

7. What did students anticipate to be most challenging? This will be a very difficult project I am nervous as I don't know other students * My grade depends on others from another culture * The technology in a Virtual project is unknown to me Language and cultural differences will be very hard to deal with. * *Taken from IMI pre-semester survey 2009. Exchange with Bahrain.

10. Perceptions – Pre Project

12. Analysis of Previous Methods Questionable surveys– how questions asked, what was asked, what was it testing? Literature review showed new best practices Need more student perspective both domestically and abroad May need to alter professor’s pedagogy and teaching methods

13. Capstone Project Investigation Decided on a research project investigating: Pedagogy : using the students as stakeholders in the project analysis instead of just survey participants. Rationale, why students sign up, Professor’s value on how he conceptualizes virtual learning Realities : what is described to teachers abroad, project realities Instruments : what other technologies are used, is DVC enough

14. Pedagogy Professor’s perceptions In-depth interviews with professor Why utilizing virtual exchange? Real-world skills used in all sectors, Intercultural competencies, Comfort with new technologies Hands-off approach most successful – or is it? Student rationale for signing up Survey students here and abroad – still being approved Interviews in-person and via Skype

15. Realities Description of project vs. project outcome Interview Professors abroad Determine best practices from participant observation methods Cultural context of student values Intercultural surveys given out to students before and midway through exchange – TBD Interviews Were Professor’s thoughts in-line with students’? Compare and contrast interviews and survey data

16. Instruments Effectiveness of current technologies Student surveys and interviews Ask about types of technologies used throughout the exchange What comfortable with using inside and outside of class What other exchanges are using Academic articles Exchange 2.0 outcomes Virtual exchange organizations

17. Roadblocks Exchanges this semester will not begin until mid- February Approval of survey has been a grueling process! Connecting schedules with Professors and students both domestically and abroad are a challenge No conclusions as of yet, open to suggestions from the audience for other ways to investigate

18. Thank You! Elaine Clayton: eclayto@gmail.com eclayto@gmail.com Brittany Lehr: lehrbrc@gmail.com lehrbrc@gmail.com