Effective Online Practices for International Learning Collaborations

Abstract

The Association of American Geographers’ Center for Global Geography Education aims to internationalize geography in higher education by providing materials and activities to support international learning collaborations. From 2007-2011, geographers in different countries collaboratively developed online learning materials and trialed these materials in their courses. This research examines the student learning outcomes for international trials in seven countries in order to develop effective practices for the implementation of online, cross-cultural curricula. Facilitators require competencies—from flexibility in teaching methods to an awareness of ‘teachable’ moments—to coordinate meaningful online and off-line student intercultural communications.