By Mr. Kaushal Oli, Teacher
As an educator at Creative Academy in the historic city of Kirtipur within the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal, I have directly experienced the transformative impact of virtual exchanges. Our school's engagement with IVECA’s several virtual exchange programs has played a critical role in expanding our students' perspectives and nurturing their global citizenship. Through collaborations with schools across the globe, we have enhanced our curriculum and empowered our students to become confident and engaged learners.
Beginning the Journey with IVECA
When it comes to the international dimension in the curriculum, it often connotes connecting local learning experiences with global practices from around the world. To infuse this value into the curriculum of Nepal, the teachers at Creative Academy came up with the idea of organizing and participating in various virtual exchanges with partner schools worldwide. I was responsible for finding suitable partner organizations to facilitate seamless collaboration on meaningful lessons for all teachers. I eagerly initiated the search for partners to ensure that every class could have at least one collaborator throughout the year. During this process, I came across an announcement by IVECA about an opportunity to participate in virtual exchanges with schools in different countries. This is where our journey with IVECA began.
Our Participation
The first participation in IVECA's program was during the two-week Global Virtual Summer Camp 2022. A team of ten students took part in a roundtable discussion, where they gained valuable insights into the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They had the opportunity to explore their country’s science, technology, and soft power and suggest solutions for the SDGs through guidance from renowned experts in their respective fields. The hands-on experiences during the ten days of early morning meetings with instructors and participating schools from India and South Korea are still vivid in our memories.
Despite facing challenges such as the monsoon season causing disruptions to our internet and electricity, as well as limited access to audio technology, the students showed remarkable enthusiasm. These experiences have left a lasting impression, with approximately 110 students participating in various programs over the past two years. IVECA has become more than just an organization; it is now an integral part of the learning experience for our middle and high school students and teachers. Whenever they seek exchange opportunities, students don't ask for a virtual exchange program; they ask, "When is IVECA?"
Impacts Seen from a Teacher’s Eyes
In my role as a leading teacher at the school, I have the privilege of closely observing and collaborating with middle and high school students. When I compare their involvement in various activities with those who have participated in IVECA programs, I notice a distinct difference. Many of the participants exhibit exceptional leadership in the school’s regular Sunday clubs. For instance, a 10th-grade student took charge of her club's activities by leading the preparation of a short documentary video for an inter-club competition. She not only guided her peers in exploring the soft power of their club but also empowered them to create an impactful video for the competition. The confidence with which she discussed the concept of soft power was surprising, as it is not a common topic of discussion among Nepali students of her age.
Additionally, the participating students demonstrate precise and impactful presentation skills in their regular school activities and programs. Beyond academic pursuits, a crucial aspect of IVECA's virtual exchange activities is the integration of culture and local context among participating schools and their respective countries. During the IVECA programs, students often present multi-faceted perspectives related to their culturally and locally specific backgrounds to their friends. Such cross-cultural exchanges have significantly enriched the students' learning experiences, adding holistic value to their participation.
The impact has not only been observed on the students; I have also had numerous opportunities to reshape my approaches to learning, teaching, and leadership within my professional life. These experiences have been precious, providing me with the golden opportunity to transform classroom collaboration and the possibilities of creating ideal learning experiences into something entirely different.
These transformative experiences with IVECA, which empower our students and redefine our approach to education, affirm that global connections remain at the heart of our teaching and learning journey. I am excited about our continued engagement with IVECA and look forward to even more opportunities for our students to connect, learn, and grow on a global scale.
#IVECA #VirtualExchange #GlobalCitizenship #GCED #GlobalConnection #StudentEmpowerment #TransformativeEducation #InterculturalExchange
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