Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) Case Study

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic posed challenges, including travel restrictions that limited opportunities for student exchange. One solution to promote intercultural learning amongst students in different countries was COIL. This chapter presents a collaborative online international learning (COIL) case study that engaged students from Canada and Spain in an intercultural learning experience. Professors worked collaboratively to design a five-week program of co-instruction within their higher education course schedules. Using technology and a combination of asynchronous and synchronous opportunities, students engaged in the course content and learned about their unique cultural applications and perspectives in relation to the content as they engaged in activities via cross-cultural teams. Administrators, students, and faculty found the benefits far outweigh the improvements needed. This chapter shares the details of this experience from administrative, faculty, and student perspectives.