Anna Łobodzińska

Biogram

Magister filologii angielskiej. Absolwentka Nauczycielskiego Kolegium Języków Obcych w Cieszynie oraz studiów magisterskich na Uniwersytecie Śląskim. Jej zainteresowania obejmują metodykę nauczania języka angielskiego wśród różnych grup językowych oraz komunikację międzykulturową.
Od roku 2017 w Państwowej Akademii Nauk Stosowanych w Krośnie prowadzi kursy z praktycznej znajomości języka angielskiego, zajęcia z metodyki nauczania oraz kursy wideokonferencyjne z uczelniami partnerskimi na całym świecie w ramach programu Global Partners in Education. Opiekun koła naukowego anglistów, współpracującego ze studentami z programu Erasmus, uczelniami w USA, Japonii czy Irlandii w ramach dodatkowych projektów edukacyjnych.
Prywatnie mama 8-letniego syna z zaburzeniami hiperkinetycznymi, diagnozowanego pod kątem zaburzeń przetwarzania słuchowego i spektrum.

Virtual Exchange Classes that help our students leave their comfort zone

Eleanor Kane & Anna Łobodzińska

Virtual Exchange: Preparing Students for a Culturally Diverse World
In today’s increasingly interconnected world, the ability to communicate and collaborate across cultures is not just an asset—it is a necessity. English serves as a vital tool that students must learn to use effectively in this globalized landscape.
This presentation introduces the Global Understanding (GU) program, a flagship initiative of Global Partners in Education (GPE), coordinated by East Carolina University, the USA. Through Global Virtual Exchange (GVE), this international, collaborative educational model connects students from GPE member institutions in synchronous and asynchronous sessions aimed at developing intercultural competence.
At the core of the GU program is meaningful intercultural communication, both through structured class discussions on selected topics and informal, student-led interactions outside of scheduled meetings. A key component is the student-driven collaborative project, in which international partners co-create a product that raises awareness about one of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The emphasis, however, lies not on the final product but on the collaborative process—navigating cultural differences, engaging in dialogue, and building mutual understanding across borders.
Students work across time zones and cultural contexts to conduct joint research, share perspectives, and produce a video that reflects their shared commitment to global challenges. This immersive experience helps students build global citizenship and acquire essential 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, adaptability, and intercultural communication.
The presentation explores the pedagogical framework of the GU program, the facilitative role of instructors, and the practical strategies for implementation. By fostering authentic, student-centered exchange and collaborative problem-solving, the GU program offers an inclusive, impactful model for international education in the digital age.