International Affairs

Learn more about the LTS Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning >

The VIE Community of Practice offers teaching workshops, information sessions, and colleague mentoring for faculty and staff who are interested in using innovative technology to facilitate virtual international collaborations.

Virtual International Exchange (VIE) is a broadly defined partnership that can include one-off collaborations or short-term projects with an international partner as well as long-term, multi-project initiatives.

Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) is an international teaching and learning methodology in which two or more instructors in different countries virtually pair courses, for example through collaborative assignments, group projects and shared lectures and discussions. Curricular alignment and co-teaching is a key aspect of the COIL classroom. A COIL module typically lasts three to eight weeks. COIL initiatives are one approach available to instructors who would like to include VIE collaborations in their teaching.

Benefits for Faculty

The VIE Community of Practice can help faculty:

• Develop and leverage international partnerships to enhance teaching
• Learn how to use innovative technology for teaching
• Develop expertise in facilitating collaborative learning
• Engage students in meaningful, interactive learning with students in other countries
• Help students relate disciplinary subject matter and skills to global issues and real-world experiences
• Develop professional networks for future projects, research or scholarship

Examples of Virtual International Exchange Activities

Examples of VIE activities include:

• Shared synchronous or asynchronous lectures and discussions (e.g., live chats, threaded discussions and voice threads, Zoom breakout rooms, podcasts or video postings and responses)
• Synchronous or asynchronous virtual co-teaching of two paired classes in two different locations
• Live virtual tours or virtual and augmented reality experiences
• Live international partner interviews
• Synchronous and asynchronous collaborative projects or presentations
• Shared data-gathering, analysis, research resources and discussions between international partners
• Group videos that are scripted, recorded, edited and shared collaboratively
• Group-developed web pages and e-portfolios
• Peer review through shared documents and Google Forms

How to learn more

We've created some brainstorming and idea generating worksheets to help you plan out you VIE/COIL programs.

If you already have an idea for adding a Virtual International Exchange to your classroom, please fill out the VIE/COIL Interest Form.

If you are interested in learning more about Virtual International Exchange but aren’t sure where to start, email vie-list@lehigh.edu.

Stay tuned for upcoming events in the fall!