As faculty and students continue to navigate the pandemic, a grant from the WVU Office of Global Affairs will help foster a two-way cross-cultural partnership with Halmstad University in Sweden and the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences. Scott Barnicle, sport and exercise psychology teaching assistant professor and program coordinator, plans to use the Virtual Exchange Award toward technology to enhance the project’s global perspectives and ability for further international collaboration.
“Our working relationship with Halmstad University in Halmstad, Sweden, places an emphasis on virtual education. Whether shared via Zoom-recorded lectures or online discussion boards, our emphasis has been on joint student learning outcomes between WVU and Halmstad University,” Barnicle said. “I hope to utilize these funds to explore new technological resources for enhanced student learning and outcomes, in addition to strengthening our partnership with Halmstad University.”
Especially within the current health crisis and learning environment, any technological advantage an instructor has is a plus for all students, Barnicle explained. “As our partnership with Halmstad University is technological in nature, any and all new technologies in the classroom will hopefully increase the student experience and learning outcomes,” Barnicle said.
“Our partnership with Halmstad University is on a very positive trajectory to continue in the future, with the next WVU Study Abroad trip tentatively planned for May 2021,” Barnicle said. “In the past, many of our students who have taken part in the SEP272 collaborative course with Halmstad University have pursued study abroad experiences. I can only hope that these technological advances within our course can lead to more WVU students exploring cross-cultural and study abroad opportunities.”
“The Office of Global Affairs is excited to see this work progress and have a direct impact on WVU students,” Vanessa Crandall Yerkovich, WVU education abroad, director said.
As part of the award, Barnicle’s partnership will be showcased during WVU’s International Education week, November 16 to 20, 2020.
The Office of Global Affairs Virtual Exchange Grant is designed for faculty members who are engaged with international peers in collaborative learning ventures and is meant to support those partnerships. WVU has been expanding the resources available for cross-cultural and international collaborations, with this grant being a prime example of the support WVU has placed behind these partnerships.