Building in Possibilities

In this paper, we illustrate how virtual exchanges that are similar to collaborative online international learning (COIL) can function as an effective means for integrating international and experiential training in collaborative-based ethnography across the curriculum, even in courses not specifically designed as research methods. Drawing upon data from three years of surveys and student reflections on their experience of taking part in an international virtual exchange, we argue that virtual exchange can enable students to effectively practice and learn certain features of ethnography, particularly interviewing and fieldnote techniques. It can do so in a way that increases awareness about collaboration within interviewing, reduces some of the common barriers to access associated with international field school experiences, and allows for the integration of ethnographic training within topical courses. The results showed not only growth in fieldnote and interviewing skills within one month, but also provided insights into how and why student frustrations sometimes occur with these two components of ethnographic research.

Ethnography · Experiential learning · Field (mathematics) · Function (biology) · Interview · Virtual learning environment · Work (physics) · Anthropology: Ethics, History, Culture · Geography Education and Pedagogy · Qualitative Research Methods and Ethics