Introduction
Fostering Inclusive Online Global Learning: A Collaborative Effort for Professional Development
Christine Shiau |Executive Director, The Stevens Initiative at the Aspen Institute
Andrew Gordon |CEO & Founder, Diversity Abroad
We are pleased to present the Summer 2024 edition of the Global Impact Exchange, a collaborative effort between Diversity Abroad and the Stevens Initiative. This issue delves into the critical domain of professional development, training, and resources essential for cultivating inclusive and accessible online global learning and virtual exchange programs.
As the educational landscape continues to evolve, virtual exchange and online global learning have emerged as powerful tools for expanding access to global experiences. They offer effective, accessible, and meaningful ways to learn about other cultures, gain workforce skills, and feel connected to the world. We are grateful to learn about virtual exchange’s impacts from the educators, staff, and facilitators who design and implement these programs. One facilitator recently shared, “Through [virtual exchange], we’ve significantly enriched the diversity and depth of our students’ learning experiences, fostering a deep-seated understanding of global challenges.” Another described virtual exchange as “an incredible opportunity for educators to collaborate and embrace pedagogy grounded in global citizenship.”
Educators, staff, and facilitators play a critical role in reaching and inspiring our future leaders. To ensure that all learners, regardless of their backgrounds or abilities, receive these opportunities to thrive, we must empower and equip virtual exchange leaders with the necessary knowledge, skills, and resources.
This edition of the Global Impact Exchange represents a continuation of Diversity Abroad's partnership with the Stevens Initiative, building upon the foundation laid by our Spring 2023 issue, which explored virtual exchange as a tool for advancing access and inclusion. The Stevens Initiative is focused on generating the next wave of global leaders to build peace and prosperity. We believe that by fostering dialogue, sharing best practices, and highlighting innovative approaches, we can collectively advance this vision while enhancing the impact of virtual exchange and online global learning for diverse learners worldwide.
The articles featured in this issue address a wide range of topics, including inclusive pedagogies, technology integration, cultural competence, assessment and evaluation, and more. They are designed to be invaluable resources for the entire virtual exchange field to explore ways to scale inclusive, accessible virtual exchange programs and chart a course for the future.
We extend our sincere gratitude to the authors, reviewers, and editorial team who have dedicated their time and expertise to making this issue possible. We also thank our readers for their continued support of the Global Impact Exchange.
We invite you to explore the articles within this issue, engage with the ideas presented, and join us in our ongoing efforts to promote inclusive excellence in international education. Together, we can build a future where all learners have the opportunity to benefit from the transformative power of global learning.
Editorial Board
The main task of the Editorial Advisory Board is to review article submissions for the Diversity Abroad Quarterly publication. While not a peer-reviewed academic journal, the Diversity Abroad Quarterly publication compiles articles to advance domestic and international conversations around diversity, inclusion, and equity in global education with respect to the thematic focus identified each quarter.
- Helena Gillespie | Professor Of Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, School of Education & Lifelong Learning, University of East Anglia
- David Wick | Associate Professor, International Education Management, Middlebury Institute of International Studies
- Lily Lopez-McGee, PhD |Senior Advisor, Diversity Abroad
Table of Contents
- Co-constructing a Cross-Cultural Student Virtual Exchange Through a School-University Educator Community of Practice (CoP)
- The Impact of Virtual Exchange on the concept of Global Citizenship
- First-generation students bring a curious and open mindset to online community-based global learning during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Macro-principles for virtual exchange: Pedagogical intentionality, criticality, and plurality
Note: The most current edition of the Global Impact Exchange is available for open access. Once the edition is moved to archives to access the articles, you must be logged in as a licensed member user. Once logged in, the list of articles will appear below.