The role of interactive, constructive, active, and passive learning activities (ICAPCALL) in shaping students’ online engagement, and learning approaches to virtual exchange (SAVE): a bisymmetric approach

Digital technology is considered to have great potential to promote learning in higher education. In line with the Interactive, Constructive, Active, Passive (ICAP) framework, this seems to be particularly true when instructors stimulate high-quality learning activities such as constructive and interactive learning activities instead of active and passive learning activities. Against the background of a lack of empirical studies in authentic, technology-enhanced instructional settings, we investigated the cognitive and affective-motivational effects of these learning activity modes in technology-enhanced higher education courses. To this end, we used 3.820 student assessments regarding 170 course sessions for which the teachers stated the learning activities students were engaged in. Results of multilevel structural equation modelling highlight the importance of technology-enhanced interactive learning activities for students’ perception of learning and the potential negative consequences of passive learning activities for affective-motivational outcomes. However, the superiority of constructive and interactive learning activities compared to passive and active learning activities for cognitive and affective-motivational outcomes was not supported by the findings. Instead, the findings point to potential differential effects of the individual learning activities within one activity mode. Future research should follow up on these effects to gain a more fine-grained understanding of how technology-enhanced learning activities can be optimized to enhance students’ learning outcomes.

Building Empathy and Intercultural Citizenship through a Virtual Exchange Project

While previous studies in computer-assisted language learning have extensively explored sociolinguistic factors, such as cultural competence, important psycholinguistic factors such as online L2 motivational self-system, L2 grit, and online self-regulation in relation to virtual exchange (VE) have remained widely unexplored. To address this gap, a study was conducted with 92 Spanish English as a foreign language learners who exchanged language and culture with Cypriot and Irish students and responded to questionnaires adapted for the study context, as part of the SOCIEMOVE (Socioemotional Skills Through Virtual Exchange) Project. The partial least squares structural equation modeling approach showed that language learners who set positive personal goals for the future and evaluate their current learning progress in VE can regulate their learning in it. Interestingly, the sign of authenticity gap was found in the study context, since learners’ motivation to learn in VE was higher compared to their previous language learning contexts, resulting in more effort and consistency of interest in setting their goals, evaluating their progress, and asking for help from others. Furthermore, learners’ L2 grit moderated and mediated the correlation between learners’ online motivation and online self-regulation, indicating that VE success requires long-term perseverance of effort and consistency of interest. Accordingly, a new conceptual framework for VE was developed. In addition, one of the main implications is that teachers who employ VE should focus more on learners’ current needs and the goals they wish to achieve when exchanging information rather than only focusing on their accomplishments based on the course syllabus.

Virtual milieus are becoming a setting for a great deal of intercultural contact. Learners engaged in virtual exchanges are likely to encounter users from different nationalities who bring with them their culturally-grounded behaviors, beliefs and expectations as to what is most appropriate for intercultural interactions. Against this background, learners need specific skills, attitudes and knowledge to establish working relationships and collaborate with distant partners, namely intercultural competence. The present paper explores the effectiveness and relevance of participating in virtual intercultural exchanges to develop Algerian University learners’ intercultural competence(or lack thereof). The particular significance of this study lies in shedding light on the importance of scaling up virtual intercultural exchanges to become an expected activity in Algerian Higher education. We opted for the quasi-experimental design as an appropriate research strategy for the present study. Data were gathered from attitudinal surveys administered to 38 students enrolled at the department of English language of Abou Bakr Belkaid University, Algeria. Participants were not selected randomly. They were grouped into two groups: a focus group entailing 19 students who participated in a telecollaborative partnership offered in the fall of 2020, and a control group of 19 students who were not involved in intercultural exchange programs. This initiative attempts to present some preliminary findings to show that virtual intercultural exchanges can assist Algerian learners in developing their intercultural competence under the guidance of their instructor.

Virtual exchange has been defined as a form of virtual mobility which aims to expand the reach and scope of traditional intercultural learning programs. This paper presents an example of a virtual exchange called InterCult - Intercultural Competences - which aimed to give an opportunity for students from Germany, France, and Brazil to explore intercultural aspects through online collaboration, i. e. to learn differences between own culture and other cultures by communicating and working on tasks together by using digital media. The research path was divided into three phases: project design, virtual exchange, and evaluation. The data collected during the virtual exchange involved the analysis of online conversations in international groups, face-to-face discussions during the classes at the end of each activity in national groups, the videos produced and shared in the online community, online meetings between the teachers, and the results of the online survey. Data were analyzed based on three perspectives: technology; engagement and collaborative work; intercultural competences. Results showed this type of experience is extremely important for a generation who will have to work in multicultural teams and contexts. Virtual exchange has been defined as a form of virtual mobility which aims to expand the reach and scope of traditional intercultural learning programs. This paper presents an example of a virtual exchange called InterCult - Intercultural Competences - which aimed to give an opportunity for students from Germany, France, and Brazil to explore intercultural aspects through online collaboration, i. e. to learn differences between own culture and other cultures by communicating and working on tasks together by using digital media. The research path was divided into three phases: project design, virtual exchange, and evaluation. The data collected during the virtual exchange involved the analysis of online conversations in international groups, face-to-face discussions during the classes at the end of each activity in national groups, the videos produced and shared in the online community, online meetings between the teachers, and the results of the online survey. Data were analyzed based on three perspectives: technology; engagement and collaborative work; intercultural competences. Results showed this type of experience is extremely important for a generation who will have to work in multicultural teams and contexts.

Background: Intercultural competence is crucial for employability in a globalized workforce. Virtual exchange, which is seen as an innovative educational pedagogy, offers an alternative to physical exchange, thus effectively enhancing intercultural skills. Previous studies on virtual exchange often had mixed results, small samples, and insufficient control groups. This study enriches the literature by empirically examining virtual exchange with control groups and advancing the understanding of its effectiveness in higher education. Methods: This research employs a controlled quasi-experimental design, which involved 192 participants from a university in Hong Kong. A total of 124 students participated in virtual exchange projects as the experimental group, while 68 students comprised the control group. Results: The findings, which were derived from independent sample t-tests and paired sample t-tests, indicate a significant improvement in intercultural competence levels among the virtual exchange group compared with the control group. Furthermore, a significant growth in intercultural competence was observed from preproject to postproject within the experimental group. The enhancement was primarily driven by improvements in self-awareness, exploration, and world orientation. Implications: The present study underscores the benefit of virtual exchange, which is implemented through Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), as a valuable tool for fostering intercultural competence in higher education. Despite the study’s limitations, its implications suggest that educators can effectively integrate virtual exchange into curricula to promote internationalization and strengthen students’ intercultural skills.

A significant body of research has examined language learners’ attitudes toward particular technologies used in foreign language classrooms. However, literature is scarce on foreign language learners’ beliefs toward computer-assisted language learning (CALL) in general. To narrow this gap, we investigated the constructs that compose a system of language learners’ beliefs toward CALL at a large U.S. university and examined whether the amount of technology used and the target language (TL) play a role in shaping learners’ beliefs. The findings of this large-scale survey of 2,061 students studying nineteen different TLs indicate four factors comprising learners’ belief systems toward CALL in this context: efficacy of technology for language learning and its connection to motivation, satisfaction with technology used in the learners’ classes, specific benefits of technology, and the importance of computer skills and technical support. Learners’ CALL beliefs were more positive when they had had more exposure to technology in their classes, but this varied based on the TL. Higher use of technology outside of class resulted in more positive beliefs across the board, independent of the TL. The pedagogical implications are that greater exposure to effective and varied models of CALL might result in more positive beliefs toward it.

Strengthening Online Education Approaches in Institutions of Higher Learning

An Interview with Paula Garrett-Rucks, Georgia State University

Intercultural competence is key for foreign language acquisition since it allows learners to understand sociolinguistic and behavioral variations and to convey meaning effectively. This mixed-methods study involved the participation of 145 undergraduate students at a private Colombian university to assess whether and to what extent different approaches to virtual language exchange with native speakers of a target language contribute to their developing intercultural awareness/competence. Drawing on quantitative and qualitative analyses of the online surveys implemented before and after participating in the virtual exchange, we found that students’ awareness/knowledge increased, particularly in the group that received intercultural communication training (ict), who could elaborate further on their individual analyses of non-observable features of the target culture. This research paper offers insights into the effectiveness of virtual language exchanges and the role of ict in developing intercultural awareness/competence in foreign language learners. Findings suggest that the implementation of strategically designed virtual language exchanges can provide more in-depth understandings of cultural variations.

Team learning plays a crucial role in addressing the shortage of nurses and ensuring that there are enough trained and capable nurses available during times of crisis. This study investigates the extent to which individual learning activities (1) contribute to knowledge sharing in teams and (2) impact the effectiveness of nursing teams. Furthermore, we want to obtain more insight into whether (3) the antecedents of individual psychological empowerment, teamwork preference, and team boundedness contribute to individual learning activities and knowledge sharing in nursing teams. We conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire study of 149 gerontological nurses working in 30 teams in Germany. They completed a survey measuring knowledge sharing, teamwork preference, team boundedness, individual learning activities, psychological empowerment, and team effectiveness (as an indicator of performance). The results from structural equation modeling revealed that individual learning activities contribute to knowledge sharing in teams and, as a result, enhance team effectiveness. In particular, psychological empowerment was found to be associated with individual learning activities, while teamwork preference and team boundedness were related to knowledge sharing. The results indicated that the accomplishment of individual learning activities plays an important role in nursing teams, as it is linked to knowledge sharing and, as a result, contributes to team effectiveness.

As public health expands its role in global settings, the need to develop intercultural competency for public health students also grows. One initiative being applied to promote global awareness is the use of virtual exchange (VE) programs. VE programs promote collaborative online international learning (COIL) and allow students from different countries to connect and work together on projects related to their field of study; however, there is little research around the long-term impacts of these programs. Undergraduate pre-health students from the United States who participated in a VE program a year prior were interviewed about their experiences engaging with undergraduate medical students in Egypt. They were asked if the experience impacted their current behaviors, skills, or knowledge, and what improvements could be made to the program. Mezirow's Transformative Learning Theory (TLT) served as the theoretical framework, grounding interview instrument development and directed content analysis procedures. Researchers also engaged in inductive analysis to capture other salient themes. Ten students were interviewed with a majority engaging in either of the two final stages of Mezirow's TLT: "building of self-confidence and self-competence" (60%) and "reintegration" (50%). Other salient themes found were intercultural interactions, VE appreciation, and VE improvements. When describing their experience in one word, students overwhelmingly provided words with positive connotations (80%), with the negative responses being explained by the structure and presentation of the VE. Students were able to apply lessons they learned during the VE within a 1-year follow-up period. This is beneficial, as health professionals require intercultural competency to promote and provide improved health outcomes. Results from this study indicate the need for structure when conducting a VE, addressing the need to increase the number of direct interactions and thereby promoting more intercultural exchanges. Likewise, the interviews demonstrated that changes in course instruction need to be implemented gradually to allow for students to adjust to unfamiliar teaching methods.

Internationalization at a Distance (IaD) challenges the place‐based nature of traditional mobility‐centered internationalization initiatives. As technology increasingly drives forth new possibilities for internationalization, there is a growing need to reconceptualize place within digital programs. By reconsidering place through a poststructuralist lens that breaks from binary oppositions like online/in‐person and at home/abroad, this paper aims to explore how students experience place within one category of IaD, virtual exchange (VE). In this study, a total of 43 virtual exchange students from 21 countries were interviewed in focus groups. A combination of deductive and inductive coding methods was employed to identify key themes across the groups. Findings underline the complexity of digital place as a hybrid environment with fluid boundaries that allows students to navigate and engage in multiple places simultaneously while also negotiating identities within these interconnected contexts. This study also highlights the role of technology, including internet access and the availability and quality of information and technology infrastructure, in shaping students' online experience and their ability to engage in the digital environment while also revealing the potential inequities that may arise at both the regional and individual levels. By challenging traditional understandings of place as fixed, geographic locations, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding IaD and offers new possibilities for understanding place as fluid and hybrid within online programs. Practitioner notesWhat is already known about this topic Place is inherently connected to internationalization, although little research has explored how place is perceived and experienced within IaD programs such as VE. In internationalization discourse, place is often understood in binary terms, drawing a distinction between home and abroad and emphasizing the significance of geographical location. IaD challenges this binary and presents new ways of understanding place. What this paper adds This paper employs a poststructuralist lens to challenge and deconstruct the binary conceptions of place in internationalization. This paper focuses on VE as one form of IaD and explores student perceptions of place within such programs. Findings suggest that students experience place within their VE as hybrid, presenting opportunities for identity negotiation. However, challenges, including access to a stable internet connection, may limit how students experience these hybrid places. Implications for practice and/or policy Designers and instructors should be mindful of the potential for technology to shape place‐based experiences in IaD programs, and they should proactively leverage this potential to create equitable, inclusive and transformative hybrid learning environments that recognize the multidimensionality and diversity of student places. There is a need to recognize and address potential hierarchies of place that may emerge within digital environments and their ability to exacerbate existing inequalities or create new ones. When designing VE programs, stakeholders should prioritize equity and accessibility to ensure that all students are able to experience and engage in digital place. This may include designing a combination of synchronous and asynchronous places with low‐bandwidth options for engagement and interaction.

Virtual exchanges are emerging as innovative educational tools with the potential to foster collaboration between High-Income Countries (HICs) and Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). These initiatives hold the potential to enhance intercultural competencies, promote equitable partnerships, and address resource disparities. Understanding the pedagogical underpinnings, challenges, and best practices of virtual exchanges is vital for developing scalable and sustainable integration into healthcare education. To what extent have virtual exchanges in global health been reported in the literature to date, including their frameworks, impact and sustainability? Studies involving a global health virtual exchange between at least one HIC and one LMIC will be included. Sources in all healthcare contexts will be included. Non-English language publications and those solely using secondary data will be excluded. The review will be conducted in line with the Joanna Briggs Institute guidance for scoping reviews (1). The following electronic databases will be searched: Medline Ovid, Embase, CINAHL & ERIC. A search of the grey literature will also be conducted. Three reviewers will independently screen the titles and abstracts and full texts for eligibility. Data extraction will be conducted independently by three reviewers. A narrative summary and tables will be presented. Key stakeholders will be consulted throughout the review. This scoping review will provide a comprehensive understanding of virtual exchanges in global health, outlining frameworks, outcomes, content and best practices. The findings will inform the development of evidence-based models to design and sustain virtual exchanges between HIC and LMICs, enhancing their impact in global health education and practice. This protocol was registered to the Open Science Framework (OSF): DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/MWHBP.

We reviewed articles on computer-assisted language learning, focusing on intercultural education studies published in the last five years. We investigated the following aspects: (1) the theoretical foundation that the studies were based on, e.g., theory, hypothesis, model, or framework, (2) the technologies used by the participants, (3) the languages and cultures that the studies focused on, (4) the methodology of the reviewed studies, and (5) the findings reported by researchers. Our results showed that Byram’s intercultural communicative competence model, sociocultural theory, and social constructivism were the most frequently used theoretical foundations. The participants frequently used discussion forums, Facebook, email, and Skype. English was the most popular language, and American culture received more attention than any other culture. In terms of the methodology, most studies were conducted for four to 18 weeks, and undergraduate students with advanced language skills were the most frequent participants. The participants interacted with their partners, e.g., introduced cultural backgrounds, created collaborative products, and reflected on learning experiences. Researchers in most studies used questionnaires and interviews to collect the data, and their results demonstrated that intercultural telecollaboration in foreign language education promotes language and culture learning. Benefits such as students having positive attitudes toward technology-supported learning activities and learning activities contributing to developing language abilities and intercultural skills were reported by the researchers. However, according to the results, high cost and learning burdens were the most frequently reported drawbacks of CALL for intercultural education. Several implications were drawn from the results of this review study. The significance of this study is that it provides up-to-date information on CALL-based intercultural education, keeps track of changes in technologies and their applications to language and culture learning, and focuses on aspects that are important to the field but were neglected in earlier review studies.