In this session, we will present the results of a study conducted to assess the teamwork and perceived value of an international virtual exchange (IVE) experience between Clemson University in the US and An-Najah National University in Palestine. The focus of this study was a five-week collaborative project where civil engineering students enrolled in senior-level pavement design courses at both universities were tasked to develop innovative solutions to a pavement related problem.

Based on the course enrollments at each institution (i.e., 50 US and 19 Palestinian students), there were two treatment groups: IVE and non-IVE. Nine IVE teams were comprised of two students from Clemson and two or three students from An-Najah; and eight non-IVE teams were comprised of four students from Clemson. The evaluation in this study focused on (1) perceived value of the experience and (2) peer evaluation and team dynamics.

The value of the project experience for all students (i.e., IVE and non-IVE) was evaluated using a mixed methods assessment based on the “value-creation framework” of Wenger-Trayner et al. Four cycles of the value-creation framework were included in this assessment: (1) immediate value, (2) potential value, (3) applied value, and (4) realized value. Teamwork was evaluated using the ITP Metrics Peer Feedback and Team Dynamics survey. Following data collection, the value and team dynamics results of the IVE and non-IVE groups were compared.

Based on the results of the assessment, we developed a series of pre-engagement modules to promote effective intercultural competency through the integration of cross-cultural dialogue programming designed to promote gender equity and inclusion as well as global competencies such as collaboration, communication, empathy, critical thinking, and self-reflection. In this session, we will present an overview of the assessment results and the pre-engagement modules designed to prepare students for IVE programs.

Conference Title

25th Annual Colloquium on International Engineering Education (ACIEE 2022) - Connecting Engineering with Humanities

Conference Country

United States of America

Conference Date

Nov. 2, 2022 - Nov. 3, 2022

Conference Sponsor

The University of Rhode Island

Additional Info

Conference Website