Abstract
Virtual Exchange programs can be designed and implemented to help strengthen participants’ cultural background identification and performance to increase representation and decrease marginalization of their underrepresented cultural groups (Cronin et al., 2012; Levin et al., 2006; O’Dowd et al., 2018; Tropp et al., 2004, 2012) . Our study explored how students enrolled in a Collaborative Online International (COIL) course, a specific Virtual Exchange framework. We found important empirical data for understanding the impact of cultural identity on participation behaviors among underrepresented populations in virtual exchange programs, such as COIL. We offer a distinct framework to think, plan, and implement virtual exchange programs to advance digital equity and social justice in VE. Our model focuses on increasing cultural or ethnic matching within the existing virtual exchange models in order to bring integration.
Presenters
Maria MarinoAssociate Teaching Professor, Communication, Florida International University, United States Stephanie Delgado
Instructional Design Consultant, Instructor, FIU Online/CASE, Florida International University, Florida, United States Nurhayat Bilge
Assistant Professor, English and Communication Studies, SUNY- Fashion Institute of Technology, New York, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Considering Digital Pedagogies
KEYWORDS
Virtual Exchange, COIL, Cultural Identity, Matching, DEI, Underrepresented Populations,Hispanics