Using Open Badges for recognition of participation in Virtual Exchange: the Erasmus Plus Experience, Virtual Exchange experience. Teresa MacKinnon, Associate Professor from University of Warwick, UK, will present a case study drawn from the experiences of using Open Badge Factory to create an ecosystem of badges for virtual exchange. Virtual exchange is technology-enabled people-to-people dialogues sustained over a period of time. It: * uses new media platforms to enable deep, interactive social learning * was developed over 30 years from experience in the field of educational exchange and study abroad * makes it possible for every young person to have meaningful, transnational and intercultural experiences * prepares, deepens, and extends physical exchanges This European Commission initiative brings together multiple partners to expand the reach and scope of the Erasmus+ programme, engaging at least 17,000 young people. It provides an accessible, innovative way for young people in Europe and the Southern Mediterranean to engage in meaningful intercultural experiences online, as part of their formal or non-formal education. Open Badges are used to promote visibility and recognition of the engagement in Virtual Exchange opportunities we offer. The digital nature of this form of recognition reflects and enhances the digital skills acquired through this initiative.

1. Erasmus+Erasmus+
Erasmus+
Virtual Exchange
INTERCULTURAL LEARNING EXPERIENCES
Sarah Guth, President UNICollaboration
Remix: T.MacKinnon @warwicklanguage
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2. Erasmus+
What is Virtual Exchange?
“Technology-enabled people-to-people dialogues
sustained over a period of time”.
● Use of new media platforms to enable deep, interactive social
learning
● Developed over 30 years from experience in the field of educational
exchange and study abroad
● Making it possible for every young person to have meaningful,
transnational and intercultural experiences.
● Prepares, deepens, and extends physical exchanges, and fuels new
demand for physical exchange.
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3. Erasmus+
What is Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange?
● Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange is a groundbreaking pilot project
established by the European Commission in 2018.
● Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange aims to expand the reach and scope of
the Erasmus+ programme through virtual exchanges by engaging at
least 17,000 youth by the end of 2019.
● This project will complement the traditional physical mobility
programme.
● An accessible, innovative way for young people in Europe and the
Southern Mediterranean to engage in meaningful intercultural
experiences online, as part of their formal or non-formal education.
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4. Erasmus+
Target Audiences
Open to any young person aged 18-30 residing in Erasmus+
programme countries and the Southern Mediterranean.
● Young people (aged 18 to 30 years)
● Youth workers
● Students
● Higher education professors
● University managers/administrators
● Educators
https://europa.eu/youth/erasmusvirtual/who-can-take-part_en
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5. Erasmus+Erasmus+
Activities
INTERCULTURAL LEARNING EXPERIENCES
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6. Erasmus+
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The professors and their support
teams work together to develop:
● shared learning outcomes
● a syllabus for this new
international component
With a focus on the development
of activities that promote:
● interaction
● collaboration between
students

7. Erasmus+
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● The courses are usually blended
● They last 4-10 weeks
● They have at least 1 synchronous
video session
● They can be implemented in any
subject or course

8. Erasmus+
Exchanges & Training
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9. Erasmus+
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10. Erasmus+
Recognition
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11. Erasmus+
Recognition
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Next steps:
• EU visual identity work
under way
• A more unified programme
identity
• Capacity building for
creation and delivery of new
VEs
• Increase connections with
other organisations with
similar aims

12. Erasmus+
Roadmap
Achieved
• Proof of concept: open
badges use has been well
received on the whole.
• Badges issued to date: 4,366
To do
• Upgrading account to increase
capacity and improve reporting
• Visual identity of badges and
eco-sytem to be developed
further
• Increase awareness of this
form of recognition and how
earners can manage their
awards.
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