Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) gives professors a chance to create a virtual teaching space to promote cross-cultural communications with a view to improving their student’ international perspective. This teaching approach uses distance learning to provide students with a cross-cultural experience.

This teaching method can be applied to nearly every discipline. It aims to provide professors with concrete support in internationalizing their courses. COIL increases opportunities for cross-cultural and international learning and develops related skills in students, which in turn act as a catalyst to bolster their interpersonal and soft skills.

Finding a partner

Professors are encouraged to find COIL partners through their own international collaborative and research networks. The professor and partner need to draft an agreement stating the course objectives and which course components will be posted online. COIL guidelines for faculty members provide professors with specific ways to assess all the steps or discussions needed to produce a course that includes a COIL component. Professors can request these guidelines by writing to the SUNY’s COIL Center at [email protected].

Getting help to design the course

The educational developers at the University of Ottawa’s Teaching and Learning Support Service (TLSS) provide University professors and teaching assistants with pedagogical support and advice. They can assist professors in reviewing the content of their courses.