Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL)
Find out about international online student projects taking place with NTU and how you can get involved.
What is COIL?
Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) is a form of virtual exchange, allowing students from different countries to use digital technology to collaborate on a meaningful project relevant to their studies.
The project is pre-determined by colleagues in the two (or more) institutions taking part in the project to ensure this meets the learning outcomes required by each institution. This activity does not have to be woven into a curriculum but is often more successful when this is mandatory for students and relatively substantial - usually running over several weeks or more.
NTU has collaborated with international partners on COIL projects for many years and is now expanding this activity to integrate COIL across the curriculum, providing international opportunities for all students without requiring them to leave the classroom.
COIL Project Showcase
Tackling Global Health Challenges
NTU and NMU collaborate on a COIL project, uniting students to tackle global health challenges through international teamwork and knowledge exchange.
Diversity and Leadership
NTU and ISU collaborate on a COIL project exploring Diversity and Leadership, bringing business students together for cross-cultural learning.
GLE+ and International Experience
NTU and DePaul offer students hands-on experience in responsible management through UN SDG-focused projects with U.S. non-profits.
Crime & Community Wellness
NTU and Humber College students explored themes like crime and community wellness in a six-week COIL experience led by academics and guest speakers from both institutions.
Rebel Tartan
Explore global fashion design at NTU, in collaboration with top universities, and the Rebel Tartan Project on political issues.
Social Work Exchange
Learn more about the COIL initiative between NTU Social Work students and University of Applied Sciences Potsdam.
Design Culture and Identity
Explore the COIL project between NTU and the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York.
Explore the Benefits of COIL Projects
COIL projects offer numerous advantages for both students and partner institutions.
For students:
- diverse learning experience that allows a more international and intercultural interactions in the classroom;
- gain hands-on experience by working together across different cultures and time zones in a sustainable manner.
For partner institutions:
- opportunities to further internationalise the curriculums;
- development of new, meaningful international partnerships;
- bring new perspectives to individual subject areas from participants across the globe.
The International Design Studio (IDS) COIL projects were not only a great opportunity to add new designs to my portfolio, but an opportunity to improve my ability to communicate on an international level. I learnt to bridge language barriers through visual communication and better understand the design and consumer behaviour in other cultures.
Sohan Devabhai - BA Product Design
Learn more about COIL from staff and students who have been involved in recent projects
NTU Global Partner Network
The key to establishing your ideal collaborators is to research institutions that have a similar focus and interest in the subject area you are interested in.
NTU has over 300 partnerships with various institutions and organizations across the globe, with whom we have different agreements ranging from Progression and Articulation to Collaboration and Student Exchange.
Online Platforms:
NTU is a member of COIL Connect for Virtual Exchange, a database that links institutions and faculties seeking international partners to develop projects with. On this platform, you can search for institutions who are seeking COIL partners, see their courses, interests and contact them through the COIL Connect portal.
Tasks Databank - UNICollaboration provides information on telecollaboration and virtual exchange in Higher Education, assisting institutions in finding a virtual exchange partner.
NTU is also a member of the SUNY COIL Global Network, which serves as a rich hub that provides information and idea exchange, professional support, partner matching and resource sharing.
ImmerseU - Class2Class & IIGE is another useful tool. By creating a profile through their portal, you are matched with potential faculties who are also seeking collaborators to COIL with, similar to your interests.
Contact COIL@ntu.ac.uk if you need any assistance throughout the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
COIL is a form of virtual exchange, but with a focus on students working within their course of study on a meaningful project. Students will often work in groups or pairs to maximize the ability to consult and share information.
As COIL falls within a programme, it means that all students in the cohort have the opportunity to take part and gain a cross-cultural experience.
There are many reasons! It adds an international flavour, allows your students to work with students in another country, invigorates the classroom, builds an international network for you and NTU, and meets our employability agenda by giving students cross-cultural empathy and experience of working with disparate, global teams.
If you have a contact in your network that you would like to work with, approach them to discuss your idea and see if you can find a fit for your students. NTU Global has links with over 300 institutions around the world and can easily matchmake for most subject areas through this network.
If you are seeking to work synchronously, it can make projects easier to manage if institutions are in similar time zones. Spend some time getting to know your counterpart at the institution you want to work with – your relationship with them is vital in running a successful project.
Not really – a suitable COIL project can be conceived for almost any topic.
The most convenient for you, your chosen partner, and your students. Online video conference apps like MS Teams and Zoom are good for group work, but students may wish to use platforms they already use frequently, so explore your options.
Remember that it is not just NTU students that will need access, so some functionality may not be open to students in another institution. If students are working across language barriers, apps like Discord have translation tools integrated.
It can be important that the instructors share language ability so that the work can be explained to students effectively. For students, using text-based communication alongside video can really help, with the use of translation software.
Contact COIL@ntu.ac.uk to get help and advice on COIL projects.