Renn John T. Gerona
San Pedro College, Philippines
Renn John T. Gerona is a mathematics educator from Davao City, Philippines, with four years of experience as a Basic Education Mathematics Teacher at San Pedro College. He currently serves as a full-time COIL Coordinator and part-time Senior High School faculty, focusing on mathematics education. Renn has actively contributed to the advancement of Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) by organizing COIL conferences and successfully completing two international COIL projects, with more initiatives underway. He holds a Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Mathematics and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Teaching Mathematics. A licensed professional teacher in the Philippines, his professional interests include mathematics education, international collaboration, and interdisciplinary initiatives integrating the Filipino language and global learning.
“COIL is an educational bridge that maximizes today’s technology to connect minds, cultures, and classrooms across the world.”
Project #1 Information
Project Name: MATH ACROSS BORDERS: Exploring Statistics and Probability Across Cultures
Partner: Aisyah Astari, Kansai University (Japan)
Project Length: 4 weeks
Modality: Synchronous & Asynchronous
Technology Tools Utilized: Zoom, Canva, Google Drive
UN Sustainable Development Goals: Quality Education; Reduced Inequalities; Partnerships for the Goals
Project Summary:
“Math Without Borders” was implemented as a structured COIL experience where students from the Philippines and Japan engaged in both synchronous and asynchronous collaboration. They began with virtual introductions and team formation, then, in teams, exchanged culturally grounded examples of statistics and probability through online platforms, and finally reconvened to reflect, discuss insights, and synthesize their learning into a collaborative report on cross-cultural communication.
Learning Outcomes:
- Students demonstrated the ability to collaborate effectively with international peers, navigating cultural and communication differences while working toward a shared academic output.
- Students analyzed and compared how statistical and probabilistic concepts are applied across different cultural contexts, leading to a deeper, more globally informed understanding of data interpretation.
Project #2 Information
Project Name: Financial Literacy and AI: A Cross-Cultural Mortgage & Financing Simulation Project
Partner: Kelly Moran, University of Hawaii, Hilo (United States)
Project Length: 4 weeks
Modality: Synchronous & Asynchronous
Technology Tools Utilized: Zoom, Canva, Google Drive
UN Sustainable Development Goals: Quality Education; Decent Work and Economic Growth; Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; Partnerships for the Goals
Project Summary:
This COIL project brought together students from University of Hawai‘i at Hilo and San Pedro College in mixed international teams to explore and compare mortgage systems in the U.S. and the Philippines. Through virtual collaboration, students used AI tools to analyze loan options, engage in cross-cultural financial decision-making, and produce a data-driven team report. The project emphasized real-world application by integrating financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and global collaboration in a fully online learning environment.
Learning Outcomes:
- Students developed intercultural collaboration and communication skills by working in international teams, navigating time zones, cultural differences, and virtual teamwork dynamics.
- Students applied financial and analytical skills using AI tools to evaluate mortgage options across countries, enabling them to make informed, data-driven decisions relevant to business and personal finance contexts.