COIL Initiative

COIL- Collaborative Online International Learning

Engage globally, solve collaboratively, and gain new perspectives with COIL.

Walton College students collaborate with peers from partner universities around the world through Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) projects. COIL is a global teaching and learning innovation that uses technology and intentional curriculum design to connect students and faculty across countries and institutions. This joint COIL module is developed within an existing course by two or more instructors from different countries. Faculty partners collaborate to create a mix of synchronous and asynchronous activities, enabling students from different cultures to work together in international teams using digital communication tools. By embedding COIL within existing courses, students can engage with diverse global perspectives at no additional cost.

Integrated into Classes: These 4–6-week projects are part of existing courses, focusing on business or cross-disciplinary fields.
Real-World Problem Solving: Students tackle challenges that can be addressed locally or internationally and discover better solutions through teamwork across borders.
Faculty-Driven Innovation: COIL begins with faculty partnerships between universities in different countries, fostering unique learning experiences for students.

Benefits of COIL for Students

Collaborate Across Cultures: Work with diverse teams from around the world to solve real-world challenges.
No Travel Required: Gain global experience without the cost, logistics, or risks of international travel.
Hands-On Problem Solving: Engage in practical, collaborative projects focused on addressing global issues—not just lectures or online coursework.
Break Out of the Bubble: Explore international cultures, practices, and perspectives through meaningful interactions.
Build Global Competency: Develop skills and insights to thrive in an interconnected world.
Pathway to More Opportunities: Inspire your future with study abroad, international exchanges, or other global experiences

How faculty can prepare for COIL

The first step in the COIL process is for faculty to identify a faculty partner from a school abroad. The partnership could be in the same field or cross-discipline. There are more than 300 Universities in the world with multiple COIL offerings and trained COIL faculty (COILers). Walton College is a member of coilconnect.org which provides a list of faculty and courses seeking a partner.

Walton founding COIL fellows participated in a month-long training micro credential workshop jointly with their partners from India, Ukraine, Mexico, Turkey and Italy.

If you are interested in listing your course and faculty profile in the COIL Network or would like to join the next COIL training workshop, contact Walton COIL director, Dr. Dobrina Jandik (djandik@walton.uark.edu).