Using Virtual Exchange in the internationalisation of higher education institutions

Policy and Practice

Virtual exchange (VE) has become widely established as an effective pedagogical approach to provide students with international and intercultural experiences. Nevertheless, the design of virtual exchange is multifaceted and higher education institutions are well advised to use accompanying research on the specific VE models they are developing and piloting. In the following article we explain what we mean by VE and what is known about its impact. This article outlines the VE strategy of the University of Göttingen and presents a pilot project of the accompanying research on VE at the University of Göttingen, which is intended to serve as quality assurance.