Webinar: Advancing Civic Engagement through Virtual Exchange: Instructional Planning, Task Design, and Outcomes

View the presenter’s slides here.

Access a list of resources gathered by Dr. Fuchs here.

Abstract:

Virtual exchange, a pedagogical approach that uses technology to connect learners from diverse geographical and cultural backgrounds to promote language and cultural learning (O’Dowd, 2018; see also Belz, 2003; Warschauer, 1996), has become increasingly popular in language education settings. Recently, virtual exchange has broadened its focus from intercultural models to a more comprehensive framework that includes civic engagement and integrates language learning with community involvement (e.g., Porto, 2021). Recent research underscores the potential of virtual exchange to improve linguistic and intercultural skills while promoting civic engagement. This is achieved through student participation in social initiatives that connect languages and communities (Palpacuer Lee et al., 2018). This approach is particularly significant for historically underserved groups, such as older adults.

In this webinar, I will discuss the potential of implementing virtual exchange to facilitate civic engagement for outreach purposes across a foreign language program curriculum. Specifically, I will focus on instructional planning for stakeholders, presenting task models, examples, and outcomes by referencing various projects. Drawing on results from different student cohorts, I will illustrate how advancing civic engagement can prepare students for navigating and contributing to a globalized world, while promoting empathy and understanding across generations. Participants are invited to share and explore how adapting a virtual exchange approach can be applied to their educational contexts.

Bio:

Dr. Carolin Fuchs is a Teaching Professor in World Languages and English and the Coordinator of Online Teaching and Learning in the College of Social Sciences and Humanities at Northeastern University in Boston. She has previously taught at higher education institutions in Asia, Europe, and the United States. Her research focuses on technology-mediated language teaching and learning. She currently serves on the board of UNICollaboration and is the co-editor-in-chief of the Journal of Virtual Exchange. She is the recipient of the 2023 Innovation in Language Program Direction Award from the American Association of University Supervisors, Coordinators, and Directors of Language Programs (AAUSC).