Do it for the group: Developing digital competencies with Global Virtual Teams

Abstract

[EN] The EU established a framework of digital competencies for citizens aimed at improving their skills in a professional environment. Bearing that in mind, this study observes the implementation of some of the competencies within an academic cross-cultural project. Through the organisation of a Global Virtual Team activity, two Higher Education Institutions, one in Spain and the other one in Belgium, carried out a monitored activity with identical learning objectives in which students had to organise a trip to the partner city. Teachers divided the students (n=127; 72 in Spain and 55 in Belgium) in groups and each group was paired with another one in the partner institutions. The purpose was to support each other in the best manner to reach the goal of preparing the trip for their own peers following some clear-cut requirements. The activity proved to be satisfactory in several areas, demonstrating the convenience of organising Global Virtual Teams as part of the study plan of a course. Previous literature has shown the advantages of putting these activities into practice, as they also facilitate learning required skills within a professional context and allow the creation of international projects without leaving their own institution. Likewise, students in both institutions expressed their satisfaction with the results and performance through the many obstacles encountered. At the same time, this study sheds new light on the importance of monitoring carefully the progress of students and strengthening academic and personal links.