Virtual Exchange
“Virtual Mobility” and “Virtual Exchange” encompass international teaching formats based on digital learning experiences and virtual course offerings. The Faculty of Philosophy cooperates with partners worldwide to provide students with digital, intercultural learning experiences – such as fully virtual Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) formats or Erasmus-funded Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs), which combine virtual and physical components.
Advantages of “Virtual Exchange”
For students: Low-threshold access to international exchange, exposure to new disciplinary perspectives, and the development of intercultural competences.
For teaching staff: Collaborative course design, expansion of international networks, and the targeted use of virtual didactic tools.
COIL stands for Collaborative Online International Learning. Lecturers from different countries work closely together to develop learning units for students from the respective universities. Students have the opportunity to gain authentic, intercultural experience without having to change location. In this way, students from all over the world connect and develop sustainable and long-term relationships as well as friendships. The following goals will be achieved through this intercultural concept:
What are BIPs?
Blended Intensive Programmes (BIPs) combine a 5-30-day stay at a European partner university with a mandatory virtual phase for preparation, support, or follow-up. At least three European higher education institutions from different Erasmus Programme countries jointly design the programme, and a minimum of ten participants must take part as mobile incoming students.
BIPs enable short study or training periods abroad and promote joint short-term programmes that can be integrated into existing curricula or established as new teaching formats. They are aimed at students and staff – especially those for whom longer stays abroad are difficult to realise.
BIPs at the University of Mannheim
The University of Mannheim can host BIPs as the coordinating institution as well as participate as a partner in a BIP, sending students and teaching staff abroad.
Benefits of BIPs
Our Offers and Projects
The Coordination Office for Virtual Mobility at the Dean’s Office of the Faculty of Humanities serves as a link between teaching staff in the departments and contacts in research and academic management worldwide.
Our support at a glance:
- Central point of contact for members of the University of Mannheim interested in virtual international teaching formats
- Establishment, maintenance, and mediation of contacts with partner universities of the School as well as with other educational institutions worldwide
- Advice and support in the preparation, planning, and coordination of COIL and BIP formats
- Contact point for universities interested in collaborating with the School of Humanities at the University of Mannheim
Contact:
Eva Breitbach, virtualmobility.phil@uni-mannheim.demats.
Past Projects
COIL: “Our World in Crisis”
This COIL project was offered at the School of Humanities in FSS 2022. Students from Salem State University in the USA and students from the University of Mannheim had the opportunity to participate together in this international and virtual teaching and learning project (COIL). In terms of content, national and global topics related to the concept of crisis were examined from different disciplines. This project consisted of a variety of different topics presented by different lecturers. Students gained an understanding of the complexity of the term and the multitude of opinions, ideas and theories on the subject. Designed as an interactive, international and intercultural classroom, participants were given the opportunity to share their experiences and perceptions regarding the crisis in our global culture today. The lecturers introduced different terms and definitions of crisis and gave an overview of current discourses, which they embedded in the main theories of cultural studies:
Eva Breitbach (she/her)
School of Humanities
Schloss – Room EO 291
68161 Mannheim
Tue 1–3 p.m. – Virtual consultation hours for Incoming Students
Please book your appointment: https://www.phil.uni-mannheim.de/en/office-hours-for-incomings/