Collaboration in the Virtual Classroom – successful first pitch for Virtual Mobility module

The interinstitutional course based on the VCL concept between the University of Shiraz and Technische Universität of Dresden reached its first milestone on Wednesday, 4^thMay 2021. Students from both universities presented their first case study results to industry experts in the first of two planned pitches. The seven groups presented their project proposals for green solutions in the fossil industries in a pitch that took place virtually. The proposals were developed virtually in interdisciplinary small groups via the Microsoft Teams platform in the first two weeks of the course by using various collaboration and communication tools. The results were as diverse as the participants of the course. In addition to recommendations for Iranian households in urban areas, green solutions were also designed to expand solar energy in the tourism sector in rural areas. 

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After the successful presentations, students received feedback from industry experts and had the opportunity to connect with them and other students in a networking session via Gather.town. Gather.town is a web-based tool that combines video-calling with a 2D map, letting you walk around and talk to the other people right next to you. The virtual Lounge was created by the faculty so all of the participants and experts have the possibility to network together and have a discussion in an informal setting.

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In the next phase of the course, the small groups will implement the feedback from the experts and will look further in their sectors to prepare for the final pitch. We are looking forward to the upcoming tasks and results.

This 68th virtual collaborative learning (VCL) project was object for evaluation, standardisation and dissemination by the TUD-COIIILresearch project (TU Dresden - collaborative international, interdisciplinary & intercultural learning), funded by the DAAD IVAC program (international virtual academic collaboration).