Virtual Exchange Facilitator Certification Program
Course format: Blended
The Virtual Exchange Facilitator Certification Program equips participants with the skills and tools to design, implement, and assess intercultural, inclusive, and digitally mediated educational experiences. The course emphasizes Virtual Exchange (VE) as a method of collaborative, dialogue-driven learning across borders, aligned with European education strategies such as Erasmus+, Digital Education Action Plan, and Blended Intensive Programs (BIPs). Participants will explore VE models (COIL, dialogue-based, project-based), develop digital facilitation skills, and apply ethical frameworks to ensure inclusive, safe, and impactful online engagements. The capstone project includes the real-world facilitation of a Virtual Exchange session.
Course Description
Learner pre-requirements
This course is open to educators, youth workers, and professionals working in international education, intercultural training, or digital pedagogy. While no prior experience with Virtual Exchange is required, a basic understanding of online learning, teaching practices, or intercultural engagement is recommended. The course is suitable for university staff, NGO trainers, graduate students, and professionals aiming to become certified VE facilitators and promote inclusive global learning.
Learning objectives
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Analyze the role of Virtual Exchange in global education and internationalisation strategies
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Compare VE models (COIL, dialogue-based, project-based) and identify appropriate use cases
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Design inclusive, intercultural VE activities aligned with ethical and pedagogical standards
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Facilitate synchronous and asynchronous interactions using digital collaboration tools
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Apply principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), GDPR compliance, and accessibility in VE
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Assess the social, emotional, and cognitive impact of VE using peer, self, and facilitator evaluation methods
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Collaborate on and deliver a capstone VE project, implementing real-time facilitation with international participants
Skills
addressed
Virtual facilitation; Intercultural communication; Online learning design (COIL, UDL, peer-to-peer); Inclusive pedagogy; Digital collaboration platforms (Zoom, Miro, Padlet, Moodle); Dialogue moderation; Impact assessment in international education; GDPR and digital ethics; Project-based learning; Global competence development; Reflective facilitation; Online group dynamics
Course structure
The Virtual Exchange Facilitator Certification Program is structured as an 8-week (50-hour) online course with six modules and a capstone facilitation project. Each module includes theory, case studies, and digital hands-on practice.
Module 1: Introduction to Virtual Exchange
(10 hours)
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Typologies: COIL, dialogue-based, project-based
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Historical evolution and EU policies (Erasmus+, Digital Education Action Plan)
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Ethical principles: inclusion, equity, reciprocity, digital safety
Module 2:
The Role of the VE Facilitator
(10 hours)
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Intercultural sensitivity and conflict mediation
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Group dynamics and psychological safety in online settings
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Reflective practices for inclusive leadership
Module 3:
Digital Tools and Pedagogies
(10 hours)
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Tools: Zoom, Miro, Padlet, Gather.Town, Mozilla Hubs
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GDPR, accessibility, and digital citizenship
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Designing synchronous and asynchronous collaboration
Module 4:
Learning Design for VE
(10 hours)
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Pedagogical models: Design Thinking, UDL, experiential learning
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Co-creation of learning content and assessment rubrics
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Alignment with ECTS and institutional learning outcomes
Module 5:
Evaluation and Impact Assessment
(10 hours)
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Tools for self, peer, and facilitator evaluation
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Reflective journals and intercultural growth tracking
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Social impact indicators and ethical storytelling
Capstone Project:
Real-time VE Facilitation
(10 hours)
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Participants design, implement, and assess a live VE session
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Feedback from peers and facilitators
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Final reflection and project presentation
Teaching design
This course follows a blended online learning model combining live sessions, asynchronous content, and collaborative projects. The 50-hour curriculum includes:
Live sessions and expert talks (30%)
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Led by educators from DiTELC Switzerland and international partners
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Guest facilitators from VE networks, NGOs, and Erasmus+ projects
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Q&A sessions, design sprints, and live moderation labs
Self-paced learning and assignments (40%)
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Readings, toolkits, micro-tasks, and interactive video lectures
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Learning journals, digital mapping, and ethical scenario analysis
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Individual submissions of VE microdesigns
Team projects and facilitation labs (30%)
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Collaborative capstone VE project with real participant groups
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Peer feedback and expert mentoring
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Public presentation with facilitator certification
Outcome
The course is designed to ensure each participant develops both theoretical insight and applied skillsets in Virtual Exchange. Graduates will be prepared to lead VE programs in higher education, youth engagement, and professional learning settings.
Application process
