Introduction

Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) is an approach that brings students and professors together across cultures to learn, discuss and collaborate as part of their class. Professors partner to design the experience, and students partner to complete the activities designed. COIL becomes part of the class, enabling all students to have a significant intercultural experience within their course of study. 

COIL: 

• Can be created in any discipline; interdisciplinary collaborations work well
• Encourage active student learning and teamwork
• Include an emphasis on cross-cultural interactions and understanding
• Can be 5-15 weeks long
• Are a graded activity in each participating class
• Can use any technology tools that serves the learning goals

As part of an existing class, the COIL component can take place throughout the entire course, or, more commonly, as a module that lasts for several weeks during the course. The minimum recommended length for a COIL module is 5 weeks.