Global Collaboration through Balanced Engagement in a Virtual Exchange Project

Virtual exchange emerges as a high-impact practice in global learning. Leveraging online technology, this pedagogical approach offers intercultural learning opportunities among students across borders. This study explored collaboration between U.S. and South Korean college students by examining student learning and engagement in virtual exchange. The virtual exchange project in this study was designed to enrich U.S. students’ learning of Korean songs and enhance their vocal performance. Utilizing the Community of Inquiry (COI) framework, we analyzed student engagement across cognitive, social, and academic dimensions to assess the effectiveness of the virtual exchange project. Findings revealed that the presence of cognitive, social, and academic engagement was crucial for project success. Although limitations and challenges in maximizing virtual exchange effects were identified, the overall results illustrate the potential of global exchange to enhance student learning of non-western songs and their vocal performance. This study informs future research on designing high-impact learning practices at a higher education institution to foster intercultural collaboration within a student-centered framework.