Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Advanced Research in Teaching and Education
Year: 2024
DOI:
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Fostering Cross-Cultural Understanding: Unleashing The Potential of COIL For Global Learning Advancement
Dr. Flavia Iuspa
ABSTRACT:
Globally competent people have the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to understand and find lasting solutions to global issues and problems using multiple perspectives. To develop these dispositions, higher education institutions need to provide their students with opportunities to experience cultures and be exposed to diverse ideas. One way to achieve this is through study abroad. Yet according to the 2018-2019 Open Doors Report, only 2% of all US undergraduate students participated in a study abroad, and 16% of all bachelor’s degree students studied abroad during the four years in college (IIE, 2020).
An alternative to study abroad is the Collaborative Online International Learning Experience (COIL). COIL is an effective strategy that aligns with Global Learning and Global Competence frameworks. Both frameworks called for active participation, communication, and analysis of complex issues among diverse individuals. COIL Collaborations between students and professors provide meaningful, significant opportunities for global experiences.
This presentation highlights how a Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) experience enhances cultural awareness, perspectives, and our role as globally competent citizens. This presentation will discuss COIL through the lenses of global learning and global competence frameworks, how to design an intentional online academic collaboration and provide a space to reflect on how to embed COIL into the curriculum as a viable pedagogical tool in higher education courses to enhance global learning.
keywords: Global Learning, Curriculum Design, COIL, Collaborative Learning, International Projects, Collaborative Virtual Projects