Setting Up a Collaborative Online International Learning Project
The first step in creating a COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) project is identifying a suitable course and a partner that aligns with your academic goals. A well-matched collaboration enhances student learning by integrating diverse perspectives, interdisciplinary approaches, and real-world problem-solving. Whether you already have a colleague in mind or need assistance in finding the right partner, this phase focuses on aligning course objectives, establishing mutual expectations, and laying the foundation for a successful collaboration.
In a nutshell
This part of setting up a COIL project focuses on selecting an appropriate course and establishing a well-matched international teaching partnership. The goal is to align learning objectives, define mutual expectations, and plan logistics such as calendars, communication tools, and student engagement strategies.
Key advantages for teaching staff:
- Ensures that international collaboration is meaningfully embedded in the course structure.
- Helps create purposeful learning outcomes by choosing relevant topics and partners.
- Encourages proactive planning around potential challenges like time zones and workload.
This phase lays the groundwork for a successful COIL project by combining academic alignment with intercultural and interdisciplinary collaboration from the very beginning.
Choosing the Right Course and Topic
👣 Align the COIL project with existing course objectives.
👣 Select a topic relevant to global challenges.
👣 Consider interdisciplinary perspectives to enhance learning outcomes:
Finding an International Partner
👣 Use professional networks and university contacts
👣 Look for alignment in teaching philosophy and student levels.
👣 Initiate discussions to explore shared interests and collaboration potential.
Preliminary Planning & Agreement
👣 Define broad expectations, including learning goals and student engagement
Things to strive for
The collaboration enhances course objectives.
The COIL activities should complement and enrich the learning goals of each participating course rather than being an add-on or distraction.
The work is balanced and relevant.
Assignments should align with the academic level, workload, and expertise of students from both institutions.
Students actively engage in meaningful tasks.
The project should be designed so that students depend on and learn from each other rather than working in parallel.
Cultural and disciplinary diversity is leveraged.
Differences in perspectives should be seen as an asset that enriches learning rather than a challenge to overcome.
Things to avoid
Vague goals.
Clearly define how the COIL contributes to both courses’ learning outcomes rather than just being an international experience.
Letting logistics overshadow learning.
While technology and scheduling are important, they should serve the learning objectives, not dictate them.
Passive participation.
Design activities that require genuine interaction and teamwork, not just parallel contributions. Remember collobaration is not just cooperation!
Creating unmanageable workload for students.
Balance the project within the existing course structure to ensure engagement without overload.
👣 Plan an in-person meeting
👣 Identify key constraints: academic calendars, time zones
👣 Decide on preferred communication tools (Zoom, Teams, email, etc.).
Any questions?
Do not hesitate to reach out to us: coil-projects@th-koeln.de!
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