Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL)

Two students hunched over at a desk in front of their computers

WHAT IS COIL?

COIL stands for Collaborative Online International Learning. It is a pedagogical approach that leverages technology to facilitate collaborative learning experiences between students and faculty in different countries.

An increasing number of universities and colleges are exploring innovative approaches to equip students with global competencies that go beyond traditional physical mobility and academic exchange programs. This has sparked an interest in COIL as a comprehensive and impactful global learning model.

COIL plays a transformative role in higher education by fostering global engagement, cross-cultural collaboration, and 21st-century skills development. COIL is a powerful tool for preparing students and institutions to thrive in a globally connected world by infusing intercultural exchange into the classroom.

Benefits of COIL

  • Accessible Global Learning: COIL democratizes international education, allowing students to engage in cross-border collaboration without the need for travel, making global experiences more accessible and equitable.
  • Skill Development: It enhances critical skills like intercultural communication, teamwork, and digital literacy, preparing students for success in an interconnected, global workforce.
  • Cultural Competence: COIL promotes deeper awareness and appreciation of different cultural perspectives, equipping students to navigate and contribute meaningfully in multicultural environments.
  • Cost-Effective Internationalization: For institutions, COIL offers an affordable way to integrate global perspectives into curricula, enhancing academic offerings and international partnerships.
  • Interdisciplinary Collaboration: By connecting varied fields of study across institutions, COIL encourages innovative problem-solving and holistic approaches to complex global challenges.

Student Experience

 “I was very intimidated at the beginning, but this class has opened my mind to thinking in different ways, being open to others’ ideas, and pushing myself outside of my comfort zone…and during the process, I have learned and grown probably the most out of any of my classes.”

CSU COIL Course Examples


Humanitarian Engineering

Partnering University:
SRH Heidelberg

This course introduces engineering skills in the context of solutions for developing communities, with emphasis placed on a systems approach. Methods and implementation used in Humanitarian Engineering, including relevant community development methodologies, appropriate design, development strategy, sustainable community guidelines, emergency response, and design for vulnerable communities.


Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Techniques

Partnering University:
Yildiz Technical University

This course helps students understand and evaluate the rational approach to decision-making in complex problems. Coursework covers the specific criteria that would apply to decision-making for complex construction and engineering problems and evaluates different decision-making techniques. Students will apply multiple criteria decision-making method(s) and analyze the results in solving complex construction problems.

COIL Resources: