Internationalization

Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL)

Summary: Explore how Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) connects students globally, fostering intercultural skills and collaboration through innovative virtual partnerships.

Date of publishing: October 5, 2020

Like with other methods of internationalization, Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) projects help to prepare students to work in today’s global knowledge economy and enriches teaching and learning experience for faculty and students. One of the main benefits of COIL is that it provides students with a global learning experience without the need to leave Canada. Hear what students have to say about participating in online experiential learning from home.

To participate in a Collaborative Online International Learning experience, a USask instructor works with a partner instructor from an international institution who is teaching a similar or complementary course. Together, the instructors design tasks that students from both their classes will complete.  Learn more about Dr. Randy Kutcher’s experience with multiple universities across three continents. Read about how COIL can supplement undergraduate research between students in Spain and Canada. Listen to music created through collaboration between students in Brazil and Canada.

Evaluate your course

It is important you assess your course by reviewing your learning outcomes and determining what skills you want your students to develop by participating in collaborative learning.

Choose your partner

Start planning and read the instructors’ workbook

Once you have a partner, don’t delay, reach out to start planning your course. See the COIL Instructors’ Workbook pdf)(also in a docx format) for detailed instructions.

Together, you and your partner will establish the timeline and depth of work (icebreakers, mandated assignments, reports, check-in meetings, explicit intercultural competence development, etc.), and you will both decide on the degree of engagement.

Further Steps

Consider completing courses on intercultural competencies offered by the Gwenna Moss Centre; or the Introduction to Intercultural Communication course offered by the International Student and Study Abroad Centre (ISSAC). Be familiar with inclusive and culturally responsive teaching practices. Watch this video for tips from faculty on COIL.

If you are a University of Saskatchewan student currently enrolled in a course with COIL, you may be eligible for a USask Global Engagement in the Virtual Classroom scholarship.
Keywords:
#Collaboration
#Internationalization
#Flexible Learning
#Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)
This resource is shared by Aditi Garg at the Gwenna Moss Centre for Teaching and Learning (GMCTL), University of Saskatchewan, under a CC BY-NC-SA license. 
Graphic created by Kathy Munroe in 2021 for GMCTL and the University of Saskatchewan. 
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