PEERS: Student & Researcher Social Network Projects

Abstract

Today’s Higher Education is facing the challenge of a Global World, an interconnected multifaceted reality. The Universities of Teacher Education in Europe have to respond to the need to create a process of integrating an international and cultural dimension into their teaching, research and service functions. The University of Teacher Education of State of Vaud (HEP Vaud) creates privileged relations with numerous academic partners in Switzerland, in Europe and in the rest of the world in order to nurture its academic quality and research. It is for this reason that HEP Vaud creates the Student & Researcher Social Networks Projects (PEERS). This program offers a stronger support in the research networks for teacher trainers and tools for the future professional careers of student teachers. PEERS is based on a student exchange project commonly defined by a group of three students being part of the University of HEP Vaud in association with a group of three students from a Partner Institution. It focuses on relevant educational issues chosen by the student groups. One faculty member from each Institution involved in the project will coach each team. Faculty may also carry out joint research works or/and establish a common interest ground to develop future research with the partner Institution. Working out an international pedagogical project by alternating phases: face to face and distance learning with peers living abroad (if possible hosting one to each other’s student to add the Intercultural dimension and reduce costs), this is the innovative initiative put forward to the students and the researchers in the framework of the PEERS program.