COIL Student Perspectives

Like with other methods of internationalization, Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) projects help to prepare students to work in today's global knowledge economy and enriches teaching and learning experience for faculty and students. One of the main benefits of COIL is that it provides students with a global learning experience without the need to leave Canada.

To participate in a Collaborative Online International Learning experience, a USask instructor works with a partner instructor from an international institution who is teaching a similar or complementary course. Together, the instructors design tasks that students from both their classes will complete. Watch this video to hear more about COIL from faculty and students.

Learn more about how COIL at USask works by reviewing the workbook we provide USask COIL Instructors

Click on the moving elements in the image below to see USask COIL projects across the globe.

Funding

Up to $2000 is for first-time projects and up to $500 for each iterative projects (up to four times by the same instructor) is available to support COIL-related student assistants and professional development. Learn more about applying for funding under the “Where do I begin?” section below.

If you are working on a subsequent COIL partnership (up to the 5th time), either with a new or an existing partner and would like student assistantship funding, please complete the Experienced/Subsequent Application.

If you received funding from GMCTL to complete a COIL project, please complete this form. This should be completed in the month after your project ends.

If you are a University of Saskatchewan student currently enrolled in a course with COIL, you may be eligible for a USask Global Engagement in the Virtual Classroom scholarship.

Technical support and training

There are specific technologies available for COIL projects to help you with online collaboration. Training is available for the technologies. An educational development specialist can help you through this if you need it.

Where do I begin?

Evaluate your course

It is important you assess your course by reviewing your learning outcomes and determining what skills you want your students to develop by participating in collaborative learning.

Choose your partner and apply for funding

  • If you have already identified an international partner and would like to apply for funding to support your first COIL initiative, please complete the First-time Project application.

See these videos for tips from faculty that have partnered in a COIL project.

Faculty Planning Tips
Dr. Randy Kutcher's COIL Experience

Start planning and read the instructors’ workbook

Once you have a partner, don’t delay, reach out to start planning your course. See the COIL Instructors’ Workbook detailed instructions.

Together, you and your partner will establish the timeline and depth of work (icebreakers, mandated assignments, reports, check-in meetings, explicit intercultural competence development, etc.), and you will both decide on the degree of engagement.

Consider completing the Intercultural Teaching Competencies course offered by the Gwenna Moss Centre, email gmctl@usask.ca; or the Introduction to Intercultural Communication course offered by the International Student and Study Abroad Centre (ISSAC). Be familiar with inclusive and culturally responsive teaching practices.

Hire a student assistant

Instructors looking to hire a student assistant to support a COIL initiative, should send this job posting template to your unit's administrative team to complete the hiring process. Contact gmctl@usask.ca if you need help with this task.

  If you have been asked by an instructor to apply for this student assistantship or are keen on being paired with a potential COIL instructor, please email gmctl@usask.ca.

Project Charter

For more information about this project, including sources of funding and its reporting, please refer to the project charter.

Getting Help

If you are interested in discussing details about this program, please complete our short survey, or connect with the Gwenna Moss Centre for Teaching and Learning.