Indications of Community College Virtual International Exchange Outcomes: Global Perspective-Taking and Self-Efficacy

• Published in: Journal of studies in international education 2024-04, Vol.29 (1), p.100-124
• Main Authors: Whatley, Melissa, Aldrich, Casey, De Angelis, Adeline
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1028-3153; 1552-7808
• DOI: 10.1177/10283153241238833

This study explored student learning outcomes related to virtual international exchange, namely global perspective-taking and self-efficacy, among a sample of 76 community college students in the United States. Viewing virtual exchange as a possible high-impact educational practice, we anticipated that participation would have a positive relationship with these two outcomes. To test this hypothesis, we used survey data collected from students attending two community colleges in the US Southeast. Using a pre-test/post-test design, we estimated linear regression models to explore the relationship between virtual exchange participation and these two outcomes, measured using the Global Perspectives Inventory and the New General Self-efficacy Scale. Counter to expectation, we found that virtual exchange was not generally significantly related to changes in students’ global perspective-taking or sense of self-efficacy. We hypothesize these null findings relate to characteristics of virtual exchange programs and differences between virtual exchange and other international experiences like study abroad.