Scenarios for the Integration of Virtual Exchange in Higher Education

This paper describes the results of the analysis carried out within the Erasmus+  FRAMES project (https://frames-project.eu/) which collected and analysed  Virtual Exchange (VE) case studies building upon desk research and through an  open survey, so as to identify and describe various scenarios of accredited VEs.  By using a qualitative methodology based on pattern matching analysis, collected  cases were aggregated into four scenarios to be potentially used by a variety of  European Higher Education Institutions (HEIs): VE as a preparatory or follow-up  activity to physical mobility (blended mobility); VE as an intertwined component  of physical mobility (blended mobility); VE as a stand-alone learning activity; VE  as a component of a course. The main conclusions and recommendations revolve  around the need to expand the number of potential scenarios across all disciplines  and contexts and the urge to train academic as well as administrative staff to  facilitate the integration of VE in HEIs.