Virtual Programming: Lessons Learned

As the 2020-2021 academic year comes to a close, we want to pass on some insightful lessons we gained from our first time offering flipped learning through virtual programming. Most importantly, this feedback is coming from those who know best — STUDENTS! So let’s flip the script and learn from those we typically teach, mentor, and support.

THE TOP 7 TAKEAWAYS FROM VIRTUAL LEARNING:

1. Students like watching high-quality, pre-recorded videos that allow them to watch at their own pace and maximize their class time for discussions: The majority of EEAbroad virtual learning modules are pre-recorded, professionally-produced videos. This allows for hybrid learning in which students have the flexibility to watch them at their own pace, and at the time that works best for their schedule. Professors can then focus on facilitating structured class discussion, building an atmosphere of shared and mutual learning. Here’s a preview of what to expect from a pre-recorded virtual learning video — this promo features the Cuban Economic Model.

2. Students appreciate flipped learning that includes a mix of asynchronous and synchronous opportunities: Students get a variety of asynchronous and synchronous learning opportunities with our pre-recorded videos paired with optional live Q&As and live lectures with our leading experts, both of which are best unpacked in post-viewing class discussions.

3. Students enjoy learning from a variety of experts: With EEAbroad virtual learning, students hear from a wide array of guest speakers that are leaders in their respective fields. This allows the course professor to focus on moderating structured class discussion, where content and deeper reflection can come to life.

Behind the scenes filming an EEAbroad Virtual Learning module in Havana.

4. Students want to learn from real people and real scenarios from different places around the world: EEAbroad virtual learning modules focus on Cuba and Colombia, as we believe that the decades of stigmatization and misunderstanding these countries have faced, offer transformative learning opportunities that span across many academic disciplines. Our programming options provide a variety of themes, from entrepreneurial case studies to the impacts of colonialism and contemporary race issues to Cuba’s world-renowned healthcare system in a socialist context. There is no shortage of topics to engage and challenge students.  

5. Students appreciate additional resources to support their learning experience: EEAbroad provides a supplemental course curriculum for each virtual learning module. This includes recommended resources such as articles, books, documentaries, video clips, movies, music, as well as relevant blogs. This supplemental course curriculum also includes reflection questions to prompt deeper understanding and the opportunity for guided class discussion on each virtual learning topic.

6. Students are inspired to learn now and travel later: Some students are unable to study abroad or perhaps, some want to maximize their in-person travel experience by engaging and learning about the country before they set foot on Cuban or Colombian soil. Whatever the reason, EEAbroad virtual learning is guaranteed to inspire future, mindful travelers and offers the option to create a hybrid program for virtual and in-person learning.

7. Universities are embracing hybrid programs that combine pre-travel virtual learning followed by in-country programming: This past year, we adopted the mantra Learn Now, Travel Later, and colleges and universities are now, too. After a full virtual year, we can attest to the real benefits of learning from afar from the comfort of a desk, prior to pursuing an in-country travel experience. Our virtual learning modules allow students to understand the intricacies of Cuba pre-departure and then experience transformative travel with more time in hands-on, unscripted, organic dialogue with locals. This is what hybrid learning is all about.

Needless to say, this year has provided one learning lesson after another. We’re proud and pleased to share that our virtual programming improved students’ learning experiences this year and we are excited to continue taking students’ feedback to improve our academic travel services for years to come.

We encourage you to learn more about our virtual learning options and hybrid program options all of which are completely customizable to fit any course curriculum needs.