About the COIL Institute for Globally Networked Learning in the Humanities

Globally networked learning is not a technology, but is a new approach to teaching and learning, which provides faculty and students the ability to communicate and collaborate directly and immediately with peers internationally through the use of online communication tools. The COIL approach to globally networked learning is to link a class at an American university with one at a university abroad. The classes may be totally online or offered in a blended format with face‐to‐face sessions taking place at both schools, while collaborative work between the groups takes place online. The courses are team‐taught, with faculty members working with peers at their partner institutions. Our method promotes interactive shared coursework, emphasizing experiential learning. We give collaborating students a chance to get to know each other and help them develop meaningful projects together. This broadens their view and understanding of the course content and builds their cross-cultural communicative capacity by engaging the perspectives of their global peers.

This three‐year National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) funded project invited participation from humanities scholars across the United States. A total of 22 institutional teams from across the US were selected which include:

  • 1-2 faculty members
  • an Instructional Designer and/or
  • an International Programs staff member

Successful applicants were appointed as COIL Institute Fellows and will lead their campus’ involvement with this exciting new initiative to bring globally networked learning environments to the humanities. The participants are joined in the Institute by faculty and staff from 29 international partner institutions from 21 countries across all of the world's continents except Antarctica. Each of the Institute's participants has made a two-year commitment to actively participate in:

  • An ongoing online Institute Commons utilizing a customized social networking platform where participants can network and share experiences throughout the two-year Institute with other Institute Fellows and staff during their course development and implementation (June 2011 – June 2013).
  • One of five 3-day discipline-specific workshops at the SUNY Global Center in NYC. Topics to be covered include: setting disciplinary‐specific learning goals; fostering cross‐cultural engagement and dialogue; evaluating the technical support needs of globally networked learning environments; and engaging and supporting online collaborative initiatives as a means to promote and enhance study abroad (Sept. - Oct. 2011).
  • A follow-up 8-week online course on to build on the globally networked learning ideas discussed in the workshops (Oct. 2011 - Jan. 2012).
  • Teaching and/or supporting a globally networked course(s) involving partner institutions and students in at least two countries (Jan. - Dec. 2012).
  • A 2-day Capstone Conference in NYC where lessons learned during the Institute will be shared and disseminated through an Institute publication (Jan. - June 2013).

The Institute is focused on the following five disciplinary-specific tracks workshops which will provide support and hands‐on training in the design, development and implementation of globally networked courses, with a specific focus on cross‐cultural and pedagogical issues related to technology.

Freshman Foundations:

Track Leaders: Dr. Rosina Chia and Dr. Elmer Poe (Both from East Carolina University)

Introductory courses in all humanities disciplines which focus on internationalizing the curriculum

Human Societies:

Track Leaders: Dr. Craig Little (SUNY Cortland) and Dr. Krister Håkansson (Linnaeus University, Sweden) Courses in the Social Sciences and related disciplines

Media Arts and Cultures:

Track Leaders: Prof. Jon Rubin (SUNY Global Center) and Eric Feinblatt (Waste for Life – Educational NGO)

Courses in Film and New Media Studies; Musicology; Cultural Studies and related disciplines

Language and Literature:

Track Leaders: Prof. Doreen Starke‐Meyerring (McGill University, Canada) and Sarah Guth (University of Padua, Italy)

Courses in Writing Studies; Rhetoric; Language Instruction; Literature and related disciplines

International Studies:

Track Leaders: Prof. Wayne Te Brake (SUNY Purchase) and Asst. Prof. Yonca Koksal (Koç University, Turkey)

Courses in History; Political Science; International Studies; Area studies; and related disciplines

The Institute is also supported by:

Project Director: Prof. Jon Rubin (COIL Director)

Project Coordinator: Tina Yagjian (COIL Institute Coordinator)

Project Support: John E. Fowler (COIL Assistant Director)

Instructional Design Specialist: Keith Landa, PhD (SUNY Purchase)

Cross-Cultural Specialist: Bettina Hansel, PhD (Borough of Manhattan Community College)

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