Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL)

One of the hurdles of global education is that it can be very expensive. Often only the most affluent students can travel abroad. COIL seeks to change the way we conceive of global education. Michael Dean, ODU's Deputy Director at the Center for Global Engagement, notes that COIL "is developing into a barrier-destroying course structure that can provide experiential global learning experiences for our students that fit almost effortlessly into current ODU curricula."

COIL is an affordable way to engage your students in global education and support your learning goals. It promotes active learning in your classroom as you open the windows of your classroom onto the world. Students can make vital international networking connections via COIL that can lead to greater opportunities in their futures.

And COIL doesn't require the kind of long-term prep that a Study Abroad course might take. "Incorporating a COIL Collaboration into your existing course doesn't require an expensive technology platform or extensive redesign of your course," according to the SUNY COIL website. "It only requires an interest in effective, innovative pedagogy, a bit of flexibility and enthusiasm, and some thoughtful preparation. A well-planned COIL Collaboration enhances your existing course, helps students develop curiosity about the world and a deeper understanding of their own and other cultures, bolsters 21st century skills, and provides new perspectives on course content."

It is highly recommended that faculty take a course before beginning a collaboration. The SUNY COIL Foundations course is a great option. Apart from offering detailed advice and practice it informs the participants of the many resources available for those interested in moving into COIL.

During or after the course faculty will look for a partner faculty member from a non-US institution. There are different resources to make this partnering easier. The collaborations may be in the same subject area but equally may be in very different disciplines. Whichever option is chosen, there will be a four to eight week part of each course where students will work with their counterparts. They each will learn not just different education practices but also different attitudes to work and management and a great deal about the culture of another country.