Virtual Exchange at LAU
At LAU, our aim is to empower students and faculty to engage in international collaboration without borders. By promoting “Study Abroad for ALL!”, we make global education accessible to every student, regardless of their ability to travel.
About Virtual Exchange & COIL:
- What is it? Virtual Exchange (VE) is an innovative pedagogy that uses technology to connect LAU students with peers at universities worldwide.
- COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning): A specific VE model where faculty members co-design a module or project within an existing course.
- Why participate?
- Students: Gain intercultural competence, work in global teams, and enhance 21st-century digital skills.
- Faculty: Internationalize your curriculum, build global research networks, and innovate your teaching methods.
Featured Partnerships:
For the past years, LAU has taken part in virtual exchange collaborations with many partners, such as the University of Florida, Soliya, Haute Ecole Condorcet Hainaut – Charleroi and recently UNESP.
These are unique opportunities for LAU professors to embed a global module into their courses, have access to virtual exchange trainings (asynchronous and cohort-based options) and implement collaborative assignments and peer-review activities with international students.
Through such programs, LAU students can join facilitated, small-group dialogues with peers from all over the world. 92% of participants report improved active listening and 81% report enhanced critical thinking.
Faculty Corner: How to Get Started?
- Step 1: Identify a Course. Any discipline can incorporate VE.
- Step 2: Find a Partner. Refer to LAU’s international partnership networks or connect with your professional network for a VE collaboration.
- Step 3: Design. Collaborate with your faculty partner on designing the VE module and integrating it into the agreed-upon subject/course, by developing and adopting new learning/teaching technology tools.
- Step 4: Implement. Launch your 4–8 week module and assess student outcomes with ISP support.
For more info, reach out to international.services@lau.edu.lb