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COIL Virtual Learning

Introducing COIL - Collaborative Online International Learning

Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) connects students and professors in different countries for collaborative projects and discussions as part of their coursework. Watch the video to the right created by FIU for a brief tutorial on the basic components of a COIL program.

Benefits of COIL - For Students and Faculty

Cultural

Gain intercultural awareness and understanding
Become better prepared and more oriented to study/teach abroad

Perspective

Learn about the discipline being studied from a different perspective
Challenge existing ways of thinking and your own opinions about a subject

Communication

Enhance communicative skills when working with non-native English speakers
Gain digital literacy skills and be better prepared to work in virtual teams

Faculty

Develop new international institutional partnerships
Develop and introduce international components into virtually any course

How can I integrate COIL into an existing course?
A COIL project can simply become an additional assignment in an existing course. A minimum of 4-5 weeks is usually required for the collaboration between the two classrooms. A sample assignment could look like the below outline:
- Week 1: Faculty prepares students for COIL project
- Week 2: Student introductions
- Weeks 3 – 4: Collaborative team project
- Week 5: Student feedback of project, reflection and evaluation
What are the most common tools used to facilitate the classroom exchange?

Faculty should choose technological platforms with which they are comfortable. Examples of technological platforms include Dropbox, Facebook, email, Google Drive, Skype, WhatsApp, and Zoom.
How do I deal with potential language barriers?

While the expectation is that any OSU course will be taught in English, there are exceptions. For example if you are teaching a language course you might partner with a classroom in another country which uses that language so your students can gain practice. If English is the common language, course leaders should take into account different language levels when planning the course.
How do I find an international school to partner with on a COIL program?

Utilize your existing international networks and the Center for Global Learning to help locate partner universities OSU may already have an existing COIL project with.
Who at OSU can I reach out to for more information on COIL at OSU and the SUNY COIL Global Network?
Dr. Jeffrey Simpson from the Center for Global Learning and Dr. Nathan Horton from the Institute for Teaching and Learning Excellence

Introducing COIL at OSU