Research Articles

Beyond borders: Building capacity and enhancing institutional resources for U.S.-Mexico virtual exchange initiatives

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21827/jve.7.41464

Keywords:

global education, curriculum internationalization, Latin America, COIL, digital literacy

Abstract

As the popularity of virtual exchange (VE) has increased worldwide in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many higher education institutions are seeking the most efficient ways of building capacity for this practice. Using the context of VE implementations between the United States and Mexico as a case study, this research aimed to identify strategies for VE capacity-building that can be useful to institutions in a variety of contexts. The study included only instructors with experience implementing VE, the majority of whom had implemented VE multiple times, and used mixed methods data gathered via a questionnaire and focus groups. The findings identified specific examples of the types of resources that higher education institutions in the U.S. and Mexico may consider investing in, such as increased support for teaching with technology and different types of incentives for instructors’ continued VE engagement. Based on these findings, recommendations are made for strategies that universities worldwide can use to enhance the support they offer their VE instructors, including resource sharing with partner institutions and VE organizations.

Author Biographies

Caroline E. Martins, University of Florida

Caroline E. Martins is Coordinator of Faculty Development Initiatives at the University of Florida International Center. She holds a Master of Arts in Latin American Studies from the University of Florida with a thesis focused on instructors’ institutional resource needs during U.S.-Mexico virtual exchange projects.

Samuel J. Martins, University of Florida

Samuel J. Martins is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Plant Pathology at the University of Florida. His research focuses on investigating the structure and function of bacteria in the phytobiome and their impact on plant health. He has also engaged in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL).

Mary E. Risner, University of Florida

Mary Risner is Associate Director of Outreach at the University of Florida Center for Latin American Studies where she develops initiatives promoting world language and area studies across the curriculum. Her work also emphasizes implementing virtual exchange to help students develop digital literacy and build intercultural competence for the workplace.

Published

2024-07-11

Issue

Section

Research Articles