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ICT in English Language Learning & Teaching

Hamma Lakhdar University of El-Oued

Faculty Of Arts and Languages Department Of English Language
Academic Year: 2023/2024 Semester: Second
nd
Level: 2 year Module: ICT
Lesson: 1 Teacher: Chouchani ABIDI Med

ICT in English Language Learning & Teaching

At the end of this lesson, you are going to know:

• What does ICT mean?

• ICT in Education
• ICT & Language Teaching
• Teachers’ Role in ICT Implementation
• ICT Tools Used in Language Teaching
• The importance of ICT
• Advantages of ICT in English language teaching
• Disadvantages of ICT in English language teaching

“With the help of technology, teachers will be leaders in the transformation of education around
the world”
Craig R . Barrett

Introduction
The advent of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and its easy accessibility globally and
locally has become mainstream in the present education system throughout the world. The Internet
and its use through several devices like personal computers, smartphones, and other devices have
become commonplace both for teachers and students. Computer-integrated ICTs now are no longer
static, and standalone but have become personal devices that play a decisive role in the way we get
knowledge, the process we teach and learn, and the way we do.
Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are currently being used in education to assist
students in learning more effectively by providing teachers with access to a wide range of new
pedagogy and their use in the field of language education has been a priority throughout the world
during the last decade, but progress has been uneven ICT has made the process and style of language
teaching and learning ever-changing. Today's language classrooms are drastically different from that
of the mid to late 20th century

What does ICT mean?

ICT, or information and communications technology (or technologies), is the infrastructure and
components that enable modern computing.
ICT is a broad subject and the concepts are evolving. It covers any product that will store, retrieve,
manipulate, transmit, or receive information electronically in a digital form (e.g., personal computers,
digital television, email, or robots). Although there is no single, universal definition of ICT, the term
is generally accepted to mean all devices, networking components, applications, and systems that
combined allow people and organizations (i.e., businesses, nonprofit agencies, governments, and
criminal enterprises) to interact in the digital world. ICT is a Term that describes the general
processing and communication of information through technology.
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ICT in English Language Learning & Teaching

In the case of our module, it includes several technologies, such as mobile technology; email; chat
rooms; social media, meeting programs, blogs; personal web pages, audio, and video. These
technologies have been classified into the following: Online media activities,
digital communications, ICT-facilitated learning activities, ICT-facilitated social/economic
activities, and video games.

ICT in Education
“ICT in education refers to Information and Communication Technology such as computers,
communications facilities and features that variously support teaching-learning and a range of
activities in education,
Because of its interactive and dynamic nature, ICT has the stamina to meet the needs of the individual
student by providing opportunities to direct their learning and to pursue information. With the usage
of ICT, students can learn any subject, especially English with ease.
In the context of global exchange, the role of ICT has become inevitable in the 21st century. The use
of ICT has become essential in everyday classroom teaching and learning. Its use gives a chance to
teachers as well as students to increase the quality of education and meet the requirements set by
the coeval knowledge society. ICT has become an essential tool for educational change and reform.

ICT & Language Teaching

The focus of language teaching is an integration of cultural, content, and linguistic knowledge for
making global communication effective and more comprehensive rather than teaching grammar,
memorizing, and learning rules and vocabulary in isolation from rote. UNESCO (2005) reiterates that
most of the countries in the world have integrated ICT into their education system because of its
profound implications in several domains of education. It enables both teachers and students to
create and construct rich interactive and multisensory contexts with almost unlimited teaching and
learning potential.
Using ICT in language teaching and learning gives the learners a huge exposure to the cultures of the
people and countries where a new language is spoken.
It is quite difficult to get any English language curricula at any level of education that does not make
any provision for ICT and its use. ICTs have necessitated a change in the whole education system. ICTs
can make some valuable contributions to the development of various aspects of education and
learning by improving the quality of learning, enhancing teaching quality, expanding access to
resources, and improving the management system.
ICT-integrated language teaching is interactive, updated, and relevant for global connection and
communication.

Teachers’ Role in ICT Implementation

Teachers are the key to the classroom teaching-learning context and the impact of ICT on their roles
and the strategies they employ to facilitate the learning environment is crucial and critical.
Using ICT to support learning requires significant change for all, while there are several shreds of
evidence of an appropriate learning environment without using ICT. The implementation of ICT in
teaching and learning brings pervasive changes in the professional practices of teachers where
teachers are being changed from instructors to facilitators and dictators to prompters.
To implement ICTs for effective language teaching, it is important to understand the factors that are
rooted behind teachers’ decisions regarding ICTs. These discourses reveal that teachers' role is shifting
from teachers to learners in the sense that they require new competencies to be able to integrate ICT
in teaching and learning the English language. They are supposed to upgrade their professional skills
and knowledge in their pedagogical practices and curriculum design, development, and
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ICT in English Language Learning & Teaching

implementation to be able to integrate ICTs in teaching and learning language effectively, efficiently,
and successfully

ICT Tools Used in Language Teaching

Tape Recorder, Computer, Internet, Mobile Phone, Radio, Telephone, Projector And Printers, TV set,
Skype, Interactive White Board, eBooks / Audiobooks, Webinars, Audio-visual aids, Language
Laboratories, blogs, social networking websites

The importance of ICT :

The use of ICT increases the scope of teaching.
It provides quality learning materials and creates autonomy of learning.
Along with academic excellence, students must have English communicative skills for their
prosperous future.
Curriculums must be made easy by including technological aids.
The use of ICTs plays a crucial role in ameliorating knowledge acquisition in general and enhancing
English Language mastering in particular.
ICTs create innovation and motivation for teachers and learners which brings good performance in
quality education.

Advantages of ICT in English language teaching:

The use of ICT has positive effects on foreign language teaching-learning.
• We can get the required information within a fraction of a second.
• Learners become more innovative with the help of e-learning.
• ICT provides information to the students which will be useful for them to compete in this
competitive world.
• English lessons that incorporate multimedia applications can exert powerful motivation and
provide bored students with exciting new ways to learn.
• ICT can make students and teachers work with current and authentic sources.
• ICT ameliorates the learner’s interaction and verbalization involvement in group collaborative
learning.
• Students can learn independently.
• With ICT pictorial description is available.

Disadvantages of ICT in English language teaching:

Students get a short span of attention because of the ICT in language learning.
• Online learning cannot offer human interaction.
• Students may open or log on to unnecessary websites to play games, watch movies etc.
• Intense requirement for self-discipline and self-direction.
• Good infrastructure and trained manpower is required to use the ICT tools in teaching and
learning.
• Communication is taking place between learners.
• The teacher is only a mediator
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E-Learning

Hamma Lakhdar University of El-Oued

Faculty Of Arts and Languages Department Of English Language
Academic Year: 2023/2024 Semester: Second
nd
Level: 2 year Module: ICT
Lesson: 2 Teacher: Chouchani ABIDI Med

E-Learning

At the end of this lesson, you are going to know:

• What does e-learning mean?

• What is the value of e-learning?
• What are the main forms of e-learning?
• The Role of E-Learning in ELT
• Famous platforms for e-learning

What does e-learning mean?

A learning system based on formalized teaching but with the help of electronic resources is known as
E-learning. While teaching can be based in or out of the classrooms, the use of computers and the
Internet forms the major component of E-learning.
E-learning can also be termed as a network-enabled transfer of skills and knowledge, and the delivery
of education is made to a large number of recipients at the same or different times. Earlier, it was not
accepted wholeheartedly as it was assumed that this system lacked the human element required in
learning. It is learning by utilizing electronic technologies to access educational curricula outside of a
traditional classroom. In most cases, it refers to a course, program or degree delivered completely
online.
There are many terms used to describe learning that is delivered online, via the internet, ranging from
Distance Education to computerized electronic learning, online learning, internet learning, and many
others.
We can define eLearning as courses that are specifically delivered via the internet to somewhere
other than the classroom where the professor is teaching. It is not a course delivered via a DVD or
CD-ROM, videotape, or over a television channel. It is interactive in that you can also communicate
with your teachers, professors, or other students in your class. There is always a teacher or professor
interacting /communicating with you and grading your participation, your assignments, and your tests.

In simple language, e-learning is defined as Learning that is enabled electronically.

The Value of E-learning

The possibility for students to make use of self-paced learning and to choose their learning
environments. E-learning is both cost-effective and cost-efficient, as it removes the geographical
obstacles often associated with traditional classrooms and education.
E-learning has been introduced to empower learners to get basic schooling and enhance skills. Also,
they can obtain a degree certificate, without actually attending school, university, or any other
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E-Learning

institution. For tutors, it is a great source of earning, wherein they can teach from anywhere in their
preferred time.
Unlike the traditional method of teaching, e-learning has a quick mode of delivery. This indicates that
learning time is reduced. According to psychology, the audio-visual method of teaching leads to a
disciplined learning environment. There are effective tutor and student engagements.
E-learning has worked towards bringing learners, tutors, experts, practitioners, and other interested
groups to one place. Thus, there is a good practice of knowledge sharing followed through different
online platforms.

The main forms of e-learning

E-Learning is conducted in many forms and at times is the blend of the following methodologies and
practices: Completed online – no face-to-face meetings. Provided through Mixed Learning – A blend
of online and direct communication.
There are two main forms of Elearning :
1. Synchronous- the communication between the provider and the receiver happens directly as
in chat rooms, or video-audio conferencing. Synchronous e-learning works in real-time and
resembles a virtual classroom that allows learners to question, and teachers to respond and
clarify immediately through instant messaging (chat), teleconferencing, and
videoconferencing. With synchronized e-learning software or online courses, learners can
interact with fellow students and lecturers during the program.
2. Asynchronous- The information is passed through forums, emails, wikis, etc.
As opposed to Synchronous e-learning, it involves coursework delivered via the web, email,
weblogs, threaded discussions, and forums. In this scenario, learners finish the program at
their own pace employing the internet merely as a medium of support.

A new form of e-learning known as blended learning is emerging.

As the name suggests it is an amalgamation of synchronous and asynchronous learning methods.
Using both online training through virtual classrooms and also giving CDs and study material for
self-study is now being increasingly preferred over any single type of training.

The Role of E-learning in ELT

• In our daily life, the use of the internet is very crucial. We always find some important material
by accessing the internet. It has become one of the vital ways to make available resources for
research and learning for both teachers and students to share and acquire information.
• Technology-based e-learning encompasses the use of the internet and other important
technologies to produce learning materials, teach learners, and also regulate courses in an
organization.
• E-learning is important for education for the following reasons:
• E-learning enhances the efficacy of knowledge and qualifications via ease of access to a huge
amount of information.
• It can provide opportunities for relations between learners through the use of discussion
forums.
• E-learning is cost-effective in the sense that there is no need for the students or learners to
travel.
• E-learning always takes into consideration the individual learners’ differences.
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E-Learning

• E-learning helps compensate for scarcities of academic staff, including instructors or

teachers as well as facilitators, lab technicians etc.
• The use of e-Learning allows self-pacing. For instance, the asynchronous way permits each
student to study at his or her own pace and speed whether slow or quick.

Famous Platforms of E-learning

There are many famous platforms like the following:

The best online learning platforms:

• Best Overall: Coursera https://www.coursera.org
• Best for Niche Topics: Udemy https://www.udemy.com
• Best for Creative Fields: Skillshare https://www.skillshare.com/en/
• Best for STEM: EdX https://www.edx.org
• Best for Career Building: Udacity https://www.udacity.com
• Best for Data Learning: Pluralsight https://www.pluralsight.com
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Social Media
Hamma Lakhdar University of El-Oued
Faculty Of Arts and Languages Department Of English Language
Academic Year: 2023/2024 Semester: Second
nd
Level: 2 year Module: ICT
Lesson: 3 Teacher: Chouchani ABIDI Med

Social Media

At the end of this lesson, you are going to know:

• What does social media mean?

• What are the famous forms of social media?
• What are the advantages & disadvantages of social media?
• Is it important to use social media in English language learning & teaching?

What does social media mean?

Social media is a collection of online platforms and tools that people use to share content, profiles,
opinions, insights, experiences, perspectives, and media itself, facilitating conversations and
interaction among groups of people.
Social media refers to means of interactions among people in which they create; share, and exchange
information and ideas in virtual communities and Networks. It also refers to websites and
applications that are designed to allow people to share content quickly, efficiently, and in real-time.
While many people access social media through smartphone apps, this communication tool started
with computers, and social media can refer to any internet communication tool that allows users to
broadly share content and engage with the public.

Most popular social networking services

There are many types of social networking sites available for use, you can be present on the followings:
Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Telegram, Twitter, and YouTube.
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Social Media

What are the main forms of social media?

There are many forms of social media, including blogs, micro-blogs, wikis, social networking sites,
photo-sharing sites, instant messaging, video-sharing sites, podcasts, widgets, virtual worlds, and
more.

What are the advantages & disadvantages of social media?

Advantages of Social Media:
• Billions of people around the world use social media to share information and make
connections. On a personal level, social media allows them to communicate with friends and
family, learn new things, develop their interests, and be entertained. On a professional level,
they can use social media to broaden their knowledge in a particular field and build their
professional network by connecting with other professionals.
• Social media allows you to do at least four important things:
• Discover new ideas and trends. (Education)
• Connect with existing and new audiences in deeper ways ( Connectivity)
• Bring attention and traffic to your work.
• Build, craft and enhance your profession.
• Get Help and provide pleasure.
Disadvantages of Social Media:
• Vastness
• Maze
• Time wastage
• Addiction
• Laziness

The Importance of Social Media in English Language Learning & Teaching:

1. Social media are nowadays the main source of information, language texts, and vocabularies:
They are great sources of up-to-date, relevant information such as news, blogs, wikis, and a
lot more that are written in English. “Social media are an all-available and all-free information
source for language learning. There is no need to hire an English tutor or go to expensive
English academies.”
2. The exposure that social media provides to English language learners comes in an
environment where these users are enjoying, learning, and picking up the language in a more
natural way.
3. It provides students with an exposure to communication, connection and interaction with the
target language users: Since most students grew up with these kinds of technology, it seemed
innate in them to have an adeptness in using them. Whether they are sending e-mails, posting
on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or they are playing online games, they get a chance to
practice using the English language and share information with other people.
4. Students can communicate with different people to enhance the English language. They can
improve communication skills through social media interaction on a wide basis.
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E-mailing
Hamma Lakhdar University of El-Oued
Faculty Of Arts and Languages Department Of English Language
Academic Year: 2023/2024 Semester: Second
nd
Level: 2 year Module: ICT
Lesson: 4 Teacher: Chouchani ABIDI Med

E-mailing
How to Write Emails in English

At the end of this lesson, you are going to know:

• What does e-mail mean?

• Benefits of E-mailing,
• Basic e-mail skills
Communication Skills
Technical Skills
• What are the differences between formal & informal emails?
• How to write an email in English?

What does e-mail mean?

E-mail is one of the most useful information and communication technology tools around today, Most
of us probably write emails in both our personal and professional lives.
E-mail is an abbr of Electronic mail, it is a computer-based application for the exchange of messages
between users. It is simply a means of sending messages, text, and computer files between computers
via the Internet.
A worldwide e-mail network allows people to exchange e-mail messages very quickly. E-mail is the
electronic equivalent of a letter but with advantages in timeliness and flexibility. While a letter will
take from one day to a couple of weeks to be delivered, an e-mail is delivered to the intended
recipient's mailbox almost instantaneously.

Benefits of E-mailing:

• Emails are delivered extremely fast when compared to traditional posts. They can be sent to
one person or several people.
• Email is a free tool. Once you are online, there is no further expense that you need to spend
to send and receive messages.
• Email is simple. It is easy to use. Once your account is set up, composing, sending and receiving
messages is simple. Also, email allows for easy and quick access to information and contacts.
• Email allows for easy referencing. Messages that have been sent and received can stored and
searched through safely and easily. It is a lot easier to go through old email messages rather
than old notes written on paper.
• Email is accessible from anywhere – as long as you have an internet connection. Whether or
not you are in the office, on the field, or even overseas, you can access your inbox and go
through your messages.

• E-mail allows us to keep in touch with other people ( learners, teachers, friends, etc) around
the world, thus helping in our personal and professional development.
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E-mailing
• It also allows communicating with our learners or teachers outside the classroom, for example,
setting, receiving, marking, and returning homework and other written assignments.
• Reading and writing e-mails either in or outside class time gives you more exposure to the
target language, and interaction is real in the sense that you are writing to real people and
using a real medium.
• If you are writing to others in other countries, this allows you to make contact and interact
with people with different first language (s) and from other cultures (s).

Basic E-mail Skills

You need to be familiar not only with the mechanics of sending and receiving emails and attachments
but also with the kind of language used in email as well as the rules of engagement or netiquette,
required in email use.

Communication Skills:
In traditional letter writing, there are levels of formality in email writing. An email written to enquire
about a job vacancy will have a different level of formality than an email sent to a close friend.
In an email to a friend I include abbreviations, emotions, misspellings, etc, these are inappropriate
for a more formal email.
Netiquette includes:

• Not using only capital letters;

• Being sure to respect others’ opinions;
• Avoiding ongoing arguments which become increasingly personalised and possibly public ;
• Make sure that files sent as attachments are not too large as the person receiving the email
may not be able to download them.

Technical Skills:
Apart from basic word processing and typing skills, you will need to have an email account. There are
several free, web-based email services, through which it is very easy to set up and use an email
account, The best known are Yahoo, Hotmail, Google Mail, etc.
Once you have an email account you need to be able to send and receive email and to attach and
open documents in email.
It is also useful for you to have basic ICT skills, such as knowledge about viruses sent by email, and
spam emails ( what these are and how to protect yourself from them.

What are the differences between formal & informal emails?

We write a formal email when we want to be polite, or when we do not know the reader very well. A
lot of work emails are formal. We write informal emails when we want to be friendly, or when we
know the reader well. A lot of social emails are informal.
Before you start writing an email, decide if you want to write a formal email or an informal one.

Layout and punctuation

Starting an email: We normally write a comma after the opening phrase. We start a new line after
the name of the person we’re writing to.
Finishing an email: We normally write a comma after the closing phrase. We start a new line to write
our name at the end
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E-mailing
Formal Informal
Dear Mr Piper, Hi Tim, Many thanks for your help.
I am writing to thank you for all your help. See you next week. Cheers, John
I look forward to seeing you next week.
With best wishes, John Smith

You also need to know which phrases to use only in a formal email or an informal one:
Formal Informal

Starting phrases Dear Mr Piper, Hi Tim, Hi there Tim,

Dear Sir or Madam, Morning/Afternoon/Evening Tim,
Hello again Tim,
Ending phrases Yours sincerely, Rgds, Cheers, Bye for now,
Yours faithfully, Yours truly, See you soon,

How to write an email in English?

1. Write a clear subject line:

The subject line defines if a recipient opens your email, so make sure it’s clear, concise, and to
the point. A good subject line tells what your email is about and how they should act on it.
For example: If you are sending to your teacher :
Question about [Course name] assignment
[Course name]: Asking for an appointment

2. Greetings
Start your email with an appropriate and respectful salutation. Double-check their name
before sending an email and make sure your greeting is followed by a comma.
Here’s how to start an email to a professor:
Dear, Mr/ Ms/ Mrs ( Surname)
, Title, ( Surname)
Professor,
Dear Sir or Madam
Hello, ( First Name)

3. Introducing a topic or informing

This is to inform you that
I just wanted to let you know
Good News,
I have good news/ bad news

4. Remind who you are

it’s important to tell your recipient your name and the class you’re attending. This helps you
save his/ her time and ensures you get a reply faster.

5. Following up on a previous discussion/ email

As we discussed,
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E-mailing
To follow up on our discussion,
Regarding, In regards to
As far as,,,,
On the topic of,,

6. Get straight to the point

After greeting and introducing yourself, it’s time to state your question or request.
Keep it concise and clear, so the recipient can quickly comprehend what it’s about and what action is
expected from them.

7. Asking and requesting

I would like to know if,
Could you let me know if,/
Could you confirm if,
Do you have any details/updates,

8. Sayong thanks

Thank you for getting back to me, the info, the email, etc,
Thank you for following up with
Thank you for your help

9. End your email politely and include a professional signature

Thank your recipient for his/ her time
I will get back to you
I will let you know
I will keep you posted
Thank you
Regards
Yours sincerely,
Yours faithfully,
Yours truly,
Include a professional signature:
Sign off your email with “Sincerely” or “Best regards” followed by your name.

10. Proofread your email

Pay attention to grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Make sure to stick to a formal tone and avoid emojis or informal abbreviations like FYI or ASAP.
Check the spelling of your recipient’s name one more time.

Put yourself in your recipient's shoes

Reread the email as if you are the recipient.
Is it clear who’s writing to you and what they want?
Is the tone of the email polite and respectful?
Does it comply with a formal email format?
If all your answers are “Yes,” then feel free to send your email.
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E-mailing

Sample 01:

Sample 02:
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E-mailing
Sample03:
 1

Virtual Exchange
Hamma Lakhdar University of El-Oued
Faculty Of Arts and Languages Department Of English Language
Academic Year: 2023/2024 Semester: Second
nd
Level: 2 year Module: ICT
Lesson: 5 Teacher: Chouchani ABIDI Med

Virtual Exchange

At the end of this lesson, you are going to know:

• What does virtual exchange mean?

• What is the value of virtual exchange?
• How is Virtual Exchange different from other forms of online learning and Virtual Mobility?
• How does virtual exchange work in practice?
• The use of virtual exchange in ELT

Introduction

Most students want to be able to grow within a complex and rapidly changing world.
How can they achieve the best employment opportunities while developing themselves as a human
being who is respectful of others?
Research has identified a set of competencies that are key to reaching these important goals:
These are:
• Being able to collaborate with others
• Being able to communicate in different languages with people from other cultural
backgrounds.
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Virtual Exchange
• Being able to use digital technologies efficiently.
Virtual exchange is a teaching and learning practice that precisely addresses these key competencies.
In virtual exchange, learners in countries or cultural backgrounds connect through digital technologies
and work together online ( in pairs or small groups) on learning tasks developed by their teachers.

What does virtual exchange mean?

Developed over the past 30 years from experience in the field of educational exchange and study
abroad, and evolving rapidly with the growth of ICT, Virtual Exchange is defined as technology-
enabled, facilitated, people-to-people education programs sustained over some time .
By employing a wide variety of technologies and educational pedagogy, Virtual Exchange makes it
possible for every young person to have meaningful, transnational, and intercultural experiences.
Education exchanges and study abroad programs are among the best means to prepare young people
for our contemporary world, increasing their inclination and capacity to deal effectively with
differences and to communicate and collaborate across cultures.
Virtual Exchange is uniquely placed to expand the scope and reach of traditional physical exchange
programs, thanks to its inclusive and scalable character.
Virtual exchange is a technology-enabled sustained people-to-people educational program. It is a
practice that consists of new media and digital technologies, person-to-person interactions, and
teachers who create curriculum-based activities.
It is the opportunity to interact and talk with different people and different backgrounds,
It is also an encounter between two or more groups that work together and a portal that allows
people to connect with others.

What is the value of virtual exchange?

• Virtual exchange enables you to transform your classroom;
• You’re given the tools to melt away the walls and miles;
• Your classroom becomes a world where students learn from each other today so tomorrow
when they design a global future they begin with the wisdom of another’s culture.
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Virtual Exchange
• It is an initiative to extend opportunities to those for whom mobility is problematic, and also
to help prepare those going abroad

How is Virtual Exchange different from other forms of online learning and Virtual Mobility?
It is primarily learner-led : following the philosophy of dialogue where participants are the main
drivers of knowledge.
Virtual Exchange is different concerning Virtual Mobility, since Virtual mobility does not necessarily
include student-to-student dialogue, and usually refers to distance and eLearning learning courses
(for example students taking one course at another university without actually going there, and
having these international credits recognized through a learning agreement between universities).
Virtual Exchange distinguishes itself from other forms of online learning in several ways:
The focus is primarily on people-to-people interaction and dialogue whereas the primary focus in
many e-learning programs is on content.
Learning is experiential, with participants experiencing first-hand how to communicate and
collaborate with their peers from different backgrounds and cultures.
The learning goals or outcomes include soft skills that are key for employability and that are often
not formally recognized, such as the development of intercultural awareness, media and
digital literacy, teamwork, etc.

How does virtual exchange work in practice?

Virtual Exchange sessions take place on the Exchange Portal, a custom-designed online platform,
based on best practices in conflict resolution to optimize cross-cultural communication among
participants.
The platform includes video-conferencing rooms for online dialogue sessions, a stream section for
participants to engage asynchronously, and an extensive resources section on all programmatic and
technical elements of participation.
During Virtual Exchange facilitated sessions, participants meet in real-time to discuss a variety of
themes with peers from different cultural backgrounds, learn about the viewpoints of others while
critically reflecting on their own, learn from experts and practitioners, and improve their language
and communication skills as well as their confidence, empathy, and curiosity.

The use of virtual exchange in ELT

First teachers on each side collaborate to design the virtual exchange. Together they match calendars
and design online activities intended to help students achieve the learning goals of their courses. In
their respective classes, the teachers prepare students for the virtual exchange. Each class is split into
small working groups which are paired with a group from the other university and these smaller
groups. They prepare to start working together on the project.
Starting with an ice-breaking activity, the students get to know each other and establish a meaningful
relationship that enables them to work towards a common goal during the virtual exchange. In the
first activity, students also get familiar with the digital tools or tools they will be using,
After each online activity, the students in each group can share their experiences with their own
classmates and reflect on the process. The teacher supervises the student’s progress and makes sure
the international collaboration is going smoothly.
During the following online encounters, the students keep collaborating autonomously towards the
completion of the final task with some degree of supervision from the teacher. Depending on the
course discipline and the learning goals, this final task can have multiple forms and contents.
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Virtual Exchange
At the end of the project, students share the outcomes of their work and reflect upon what they have
learned.

https://europa.eu/youth/erasmusvirtual
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Virtual Exchange