E-learning as a Driver of Higher Education Internationalisation and (Virtual) Mobility

Dear colleagues,

We invite you to a shorter virtual forum event on the potential of e-learning to enhance higher education internationalisation. Innovative approaches in e-learning can significantly support processes of internationalisation at home and the internationalisation of curricula, increasing the impact of study programs and international engagement, especially for less mobile students and staff. However, these effects are not a given. During the meeting, we will discuss how to design and implement e-learning to fully leverage its potential for higher education internationalisation.

The meeting offers an opportunity to broaden knowledge and share experiences about the role of innovative pedagogy and e-learning for enhancing the international engagement of students, lecturers, curricula, and study programs.

When:

Friday, December 13th 2024 at 10 a.m. CET

Where:

Virtual event

(link will be provided upon registration)

What will you gain?

Understanding the connection between e-learning and internationalisation opportunities
Insight into the results of a case study that observed the effects of implementing a specific e-learning approach on the internationalisation of three small higher education institutions
A platform to exchange practices and experiences in e-learning, innovative pedagogy, and internationalisation

Agenda

10:00 Brief Introduction

E-learning and Internationalisation

10:15 Presentation of Case Study Results

Presentation of case study results observing the impact of e-learning (digital simulation) on international engagement in three small higher education institutions from the Western Balkans.

10:45 Discussion with Audience

Guided discussion to share experiences, opinions, and questions on how to best leverage the potential of e-learning for the internationalisation of higher education institutions.

The event is free of charge.

For further information, please contact us at: international@vsr.si.

Registration

The forum will be led by

Mojca Mayr

an expert in monitoring the effects of international mobility programs in the field of youth and in strengthening higher education internationalisation processes, also exploring the impact of innovative pedagogical approaches.

Barbara Drole

is an expert in international projects and mobility programmes in the field of higher education, within which she is particularly interested in the intercultural and psychological effects of international experiences on participants.

The SOS IB Case Study Summary

The case study of implementing SOS IB simulations in three small higher education institutions in the Western Balkans examined the impact of specific e-learning practice on internationalisation, particularly in terms of less mobile students and staff, along with the effects of internationalisation at home and internationalisation of curriculum. The study was based on longitudinal interviews, a student survey, and a focus group. The results show a positive impact of an e-learning approach adapted to foster international cooperation on the international orientation and skills of students and lecturers, as well as on strengthening international opportunities for institutions.

“I haven't been involved in that way of working before, and, in my opinion, that is a great benefit both for me as a teacher and for our students.” (Lecturer, involved in SOS IB e-learning practice)

Participant #1

“They stopped thinking about the language mistakes that they make. They stopped thinking about the fears – […] the smaller group in the e-learning platform gives them more privacy, so they become braver to express their own opinion, exchange ideas …” (The effect of international e-learning practice on non-mobile students)

Participant #2

“Unlike previous projects, which didn't provide significant benefits of internationalisation, internationalisation truly comes to the core in this project with mutual collaboration and exchanging ideas, which is undoubtedly a significant improvement [for me] compared to before.” (The effect of international e-learning practice on lecturers)

Participant #3

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.