Using a virtual learning community (VLC) to facilitate a cross-national science research collaboration between secondary school students

• A VLC (Wikispaces) was used to facilitate students' cross-national science research.
• Students from a Singapore and a USA school were studied.
• Qualitative case study methods were employed.
• Data from online postings, reflections and interviews were collected and analysed.
• The VLC impacted the students' projects and interpersonal skills positively.

This paper reports on how a virtual learning community (VLC), set up on Wikispaces, facilitated cross-national collaboration in high level scientific research involving six teams of four students from two schools, one in Singapore and one in USA. Qualitative case study methods were employed. Data from online postings, reflections and interviews were analysed using the Miles and Huberman (1994) approach to inductive analysis. Findings showed that the students found the VLC useful for their collaboration and the exchanges on the platform positively impacted them in the cognitive, intellectual and interpersonal aspects. Recommendations for future practice and research are made.