Global Classroom - Virtual mobility at Linnaeus University
The project group 'Global Classroom' has developed a concept to support internationalisation at home. We want to help programme directors and teachers to support interactions with students from foreign universities as an integrated part of the education.
About Global Classroom at Linnaeus University
This project was active 2015-2017. These pages can, however, be of interest to teachers who wish to introduce elements of international collaboration in their courses.
Today university students, teachers, researchers and administrative staff expect and are expected to participate in international and intercultural professional contexts. Present internationalisation activities at Linnaeus University involve only a minority of university staff and students since the focus has so far been on physical mobility. However, digital media enable all to be involved in international professional networks and collaboration, both as a complement to physical mobility and when physical mobility is simply not practical or feasible. This type of internationalisation is known as virtual mobility (VM), a concept already widely spread within global higher education.
The primary aim of the project was to create a framework and organisation to establish international networking and collaboration as a key element in all courses at undergraduate and masters level at Linnaeus University.
More information about Global Classroom
What are the aims of Global Classroom?
- Promoting internationalisation at home via digital media.
- Strengthen cooperation with Linnaeus University's partner universities.
- Raise awareness of diversity and multicultural perspective.
The project works primarily towards the programme coordinators through workshops and consultative activities where we give advice on methods and tools that promote virtual mobility. We have developed a self-assessment tool (a grid of criteria for the internationalisation of five levels) for the programme coordinators as a basis for programme development.
Why Global Classroom?
- Integrate internationalisation in everyday life.
- To inventory and highlight ongoing projects.
- Deepen awareness of diversity and multicultural aspects.
- Strengthen our cooperation with partner universities and create stepping stones for new projects and cooperation.
- To build upon and strengthen the Linnaeus University's profile as a modern, international university.
What is virtual mobility?
Virtual mobility means you are working in an international environment through digital media without having to travel physically, such as group work with synchronous and asynchronous meetings, a project, an online course from a foreign university or be part of a professional network.
Virtual mobility complements physical mobility. Via the web, participants get to know each other beforehand, making networks and learn more about the physical mobility. After the visit, cooperation can continue online. This may mean, for example joint seminars, lectures and group work between students from different universities. These may lead to credits within their own institution.
Formally, virtual mobility mean that the participating universities sign agreement on recognition and crediting of each other's online courses. Students should get proper credits (ECTS) for their studies.
The internationalisation that takes place within the Global Classroom project really touches everyone, both students and staff, and not just the few who manage to get grants for field trips or study abroad. Those who can not travel because of family, economy, special needs or illness may still work and study in an international and multicultural environment.