Facilitated COIL conversational model: a virtual exchange between a private university in the US and a teacher college in South Sudan

Abstract

This practice report explores a Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) course focused on awareness and esteem development for women teachers in South Sudan and volunteers associated with a US-based university. Pedagogy of hope was utilized as an educational tool for implementation and evaluation. Assessments of this COIL course focused on data from exit tickets and a final writing assignment. Self-perceptions of the participating teachers were analyzed based on their sense of preparedness, confidence, comfort levels with the class, and any impact the course had on teachers’ sense of teaching as a personal calling. Practitioners and teaching professionals interested in international virtual exchange will find key takeaways related to building partnerships starting with low-stakes initiatives and using COIL to help ignite advances in digital maturity in South Sudan.