Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL)

Learn with the world — from your own classroom

Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) connects Oakland University (OU) students with students at partner institutions abroad — inside a course, online and without the need for a plane ticket. Working in international teams, students tackle shared projects, compare perspectives and build the intercultural skills employers and graduate programs look for — all as part of the classes they're already taking.

COIL is global and digital by design, which is why it lives here, with Global and Digital Learning, embracing the reach of the Office of Global Engagement and the instructional design and technology expertise of e-Learning and Instructional Support (e-LIS).

How it works

Faculty partner up: An Oakland faculty member and a faculty member at a partner institution abroad design a shared module together — a project, a case study, a research question — built into both of their courses.
Students collaborate online: Over several weeks, students meet, work and learn together in international teams, using the same digital tools they already use for coursework.
Learning goes both ways: Students finish the module with a global perspective on their subject, experience working across cultures and time zones, and connect with peers around the world — whether or not they ever study abroad.

For partner institutions

If your institution is interested in collaborating with Oakland, COIL is a flexible place to start: No exchange agreement is required to begin a conversation, and projects can be as focused as a single shared module. Tell us about your programs and the courses you'd like to connect, and we'll help match you with Oakland faculty in the field.

For Oakland faculty

Interested in adding an international dimension to a course you're teaching? Global Engagement can help you find a partner, design the shared module and work through the practical details — from communication tools to scheduling across time zones. If you have a course in mind, start the conversation with us.

Get started

Partner institutions and faculty may contact the Office of Global Engagement to discuss a COIL collaboration.