Facilitating international transdisciplinary collaboration in a virtual academic exchange project

Abstract

[EN] What challenges does virtual collaboration pose to fundamental conditions of collaborative work such as building relationships and trust and establishing balanced participation? We approached this question in a virtual seminar in transdisciplinary Public Art across six international universities, with funding from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) International Virtual Academic Collaboration (IVAC) program. Together with our partner institutions and accompanied by an intercultural facilitator, we established a collaborative methodology for teaching and learning. As means of participation and relationship building, we developed a two- step method for matching student teams and used collaborative tools such as playful exercises and open agenda meetings. We conducted a qualitative study to monitor the collaborative process throughout the course. We held semi structured one-on-one interviews with fifteen students and analyzed their written reports. The results illustrate how our methodology supported the students’ collaborative creative practices. Additionally, we describe challenges and consider possible solutions.