During the fall semester 2021-2022, VCL (Virtual Collaborative Learning) course content and activities were implemented in the framework of the VALEU-X Erasmus+ CBHE project at EPOKA University. The BUS 103 - Introduction to Business course, and Business Informatics freshmen students were selected to pilot the VCL innovative pedagogical approach. The VCL implementation took place for 6 weeks between 01.12.2021 and 14.03.2022. There was 1 Lecturer (Dr. Esmir Demaj), 5 E-Tutors (Enejda Doko, Kejsi Sulaj, Rei Shabani, Griselda Alushllari, Halit Yildirim) and 93 students (BINF 1A & BINF 1C) engaged. Students formed 13 groups, and each of the groups was assigned an E-Tutor.

The general topic of the VCL project was to build a business plan for a Social Business Idea that aims to have a social impact alongside the economic profit. Nevertheless, the final project report was not the main objective. Systematic work, virtual team working skills, enhancing digital literacy, remote working, and interactivity were the main principles aimed to be fostered to students through the VCL innovative pedagogic approach. Further to positive student feedback, we believe the objectives were successfully reached.

Students were introduced to the concepts of VCL, virtual learning tools and mechanisms. Microsoft Teams, Miro Board and other tools have been used to facilitate and monitor the virtual activities. E-Tutors, who are senior student mentors, were important actors that supervised the student progress throughout the VCL experience and actively contributed to enrich this process.  Students spent 6 weeks of virtual collaborative teamwork; they were closely mentored and monitored for each section of the business plan on weekly basis. Different tasks, quizzes, online working tools and virtual illustrations were used to enhance the comprehension of the main concepts. After general guidance and orientation done physically in class, all activities were held in virtual meetings between E-Tutors and their respective groups in a weekly basis. Students had their own virtual meetings as well. All activities, progress and contributions have been recorded and archived for a post-project evaluation.

All these components contributed to producing satisfactory results, students’ project presentations were effortful and accomplished. They showed great willingness and were regularly engaged in earnest and energetic work. Group projects can promote important intellectual and social skills and help to prepare students for a work world in which teamwork and collaboration are increasingly the norm. Students stated that this methodology helped them take the project more seriously, work step by step and it was a more structured way to develop a project, which encouraged greater commitment from each student.

VALEU-X project is led by Technical University of Dresden and aims to facilitate the learning process in higher education institutions in Albania through Virtual Collaboration and learning mechanisms. The main objective is to support the qualification of academic staff at Albanian HEIs for innovative virtual teaching and learning settings.

For more information about VALEU-X project please click Here