UNICOLLABORATION:THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION OF

TELECOLLABORATION AND VIRTUAL EXCHANGEThe 2nd International Conference on Telelecollaboration in Higher Education:

Trinity College, Dublin 2016

What has brought us to here?2011: INTENT: Integrating Telecollaborative Networks into Higher Education

2013: The Launch of the UNICollaboration platform. Currently: 800 members.

What has brought us to here? (2)2014: The first International Conference on Telecollaboration in University Foreign Language Education (1 Book, 2 Journals, 1 Online Journal)

2016: The Second International Conference on Telecollaboration in (Foreign Language) Higher Education

Yes, there are other Virtual Exchange Organisations. But they all have specific audiences or objectives:

Teletandem – Focus on e-tandem learning

Soliya – Focus on virtual exchange between the west and Arab/Muslim countries

Sharing Perspectives – A specific model of exchange

COIL – Connecting SUNY universities to rest of the globe

So we asked you about your interest in:research and practice in telecollaboration and virtual exchange…

– across all disciplines and subject areas – in higher education – across the globe

What is your position on the formation of a cross-disciplinary academic organisation to promote and support telecollaborative research and practice?

I think this is a relevant and useful initiative. 97 99%

I think this is not a necessary or relevant idea at the moment.

1 1%

I have no opinion about this subject. 0 0%

Would you be interested in becoming a full member of such an organisation?

Yes, I would be interested in joining such an organisation.

89 90.8%

No, I would not be interested in joining such an organisation.

9 9.2%

• Please tell us what you would particularly like such an organisation to do and to provide for its members?

• Summary of responses:• Many practitioners highlight the need for help in finding partners• Our reaction: We need to improve the UNICOLLABORATION.EU platform • Many mentioned an interest in getting help in preparing research proposals • Our reaction: Possibly a theme for our first regional / online workshop. • Numerous mentions of support for regional and online training workshops too. • Some people mentioned the importance of representing TC at institutional level

and promoting the activity at higher level. • One respondent warned about setting up ‘yet another’ organisation and that we

should stay within the established networks. • Our reaction:….• Some identified the need to have a database or repository of research from across

the globe.

• Aims of the organization (1)• To promote the development and integration of research and practice in

telecollaboration and virtual across all disciplines and subject areas in higher education around the globe by:– Holding a bi-annual conference on research and practice– Providing a regular publication on research across academic disciplines– Organising annual regional training workshops and online training

events in practice and research – Providing training and support for doctoral and post-doctoral research

in our activity through professional development events and mobility opportunities

– Developing and promoting the Organisation’s online platform (www.unicollaboration.eu) as a central hub for telecollaboration and virtual exchange practice.

• Aims of the organization (2)

• To actively engage in awareness raising of Telecollaboration and Virtual Exchange at institutional and policy making level by:– Supporting members interested in preparing project proposals and

starting telecollaborative initiatives– Collaborating with other academic organisations related to mobility,

education etc.– Coordinating with different networks across the globe common

policies and approaches to developing telecollaboration– Taking up contact with policy making bodies at national and

international level.

Our Board and its Functions (2016-2018)Position April 2016- April 2018 FunctionPresident  Robert O’Dowd Representing and promoting the

organisation at international level and with other organisations. Coordination of conferences and events.

Vice-President  Francesca Helm

Secretary  Communications Officer

 Sake Jager Responsible for developing the online platform and the organisation’s social networks

Treasurer   Local Office León In charge of accounts and bank account etc.

First Research Officer Tim Lewis  In charge of organising and promoting research initiatives, project proposals between members etc., research training workshops (1 every 2 years)Second Research

OfficerElke Nissen

First Publications Officer 

 Melinda Dooly Setting up and running an online open-source journal for the organisation

Second Publications Officer

Breffni O’Rourke 

First Training Officer Mirjam Hauck Organising Telecollaborative training events –workshops for educators new to the field etc. (1 every 2 years)

Second Training Officer

Gosia Kurek 

• Important rules and regulations:• Board members can only stay in their position for 2 years.

Change-over at bi-annual conference.• Each pair of board members (e.g. first and second research

officer) have obligation to organise one event/publication per year.

• Individual members: 40€• Institutional members: 150€ • Commercial members: 150€• (From 2018 conference: Membership fee for that year will be

included in the conference fee.)

• What do you get for your money?• Priority in applications for training / research events• Inclusion in ‘members-only’ mailing list with

information on sources of project funding etc.• Support for finding partners for telecollaborative

projects

• Are you interested? • What suggestions do you have for us?• Add your contact details and suggestions

here…