The Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) model has been developed over the past 20 years to promote international collaboration in the form of online learning. COIL aims to offer results similar to or even better than physical mobility in terms of improving international and intercultural competences. Typically, the COIL model is applied to a course or part of a course within a larger educational program (a COIL module).

What is COIL?

In order to meet COIL criteria, a learning activity must have the following mandatory components:

  • Joint work: scientific and pedagogical workers jointly teach the module on an equal basis; students are in conditions that contribute to the formation of effective and fruitful cooperation for obtaining the necessary results of activity
  • Online format: interaction between students and their respective teachers takes place (mostly or exclusively) online
  • International nature: there is significant interaction between teachers and students in two (or more) different countries, which contributes to the development of international and intercultural competences
  • Learning: COIL modules are a learning activity and should be an integral part of the curriculum, not an optional and non-essential ‘addition’ to it.

Thus, only if the educational activity meets all the above-mentioned characteristics, it can be recognized as a real “virtual exchange”. The above four conditions are inextricably linked and binding.

If these criteria are met, COIL modules can be presented in different forms and differ in volume and content. The COIL modules can also be used as an adjunct to short-term physical mobility for the faculty and/or students involved, which together will constitute blended mobility. For example, in addition to longer online collaborations, there could be an “international project week” where students and teachers meet physically. In any case, it is very useful for the staff involved in the COIL module to meet physically during the planning phase in order to build the trusting relationship necessary for co-teaching.

 

News

COIL “Unite: Tackling Challenges through Interdisciplinary Solutions”

2-day offline training “Global synergy through collaborative online international learning (COIL) at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv”

2-day training “Global synergy through collaborative online international learning (COIL) at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv”

5 KNU faculty members took part in the one-week professional development programme in the field of COIL for professors of the Alliance of Ukrainian Universities

Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and Jaume I University of Spain deepen intercultural learning through the COIL programme