Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) at Durban University of Technology Dr Strini Pillay and Dr Lavern Samuels 11 November 2016 5th Learning, Teaching And Assessment Symposium Coastlands Hotel

Outline Background of COIL What is COIL Why COIL at DUT Advocacy of COIL to DUT Proposed COIL Model Partnering Opportunities List of Selected Partners Impact of COIL Benefits / advantages Challenges facing COIL Case studies

Collaborative Online International Learning Last year DUT became the first African institution to be included as a Global Network Partner in the SUNY COIL system (State University of New York – Collaborative Online International Learning).

Background of COIL DNA of the DUT strategic plan( Driver F : Internationalising the University) Internationalisation of the curriculum General Education Graduate Attributes E-learning project Leaving no one behind Individual vs collective benefit Systemic benefits for staff and student

What is COIL COIL is a teaching and learning methodology Provides innovative cost-effective internationalization strategies Fosters staff and student interaction with peers abroad Co-taught multicultural online and blended learning environments Emphasizing experiential student collaboration.

Why COIL at DUT Enriching benefits of international education to a broader spectrum of students, faculty and staff than presently are able to study abroad. Network of staff and students from campuses abroad who are committed to online international education Provide platform, including an annual conference, where their ideas and experiences can be shared. Meet the international market demand for educational opportunities at universities by locating, contacting and developing foreign partners who are interested in collaborating on online international projects.

Why (cont.) Enhance the development of hybrid teaching models by sharing between multiple campuses - both virtually and in the classroom. Demonstrate and promote model online international courses through online meeting spaces, dedicated web pages and in-person presentations throughout the system. Foster the sustainability of online international scholarship, by promoting the "bottom-up" culture of individuality, entrepreneurship and creativity inherent in the academic community.

Advocacy of COIL to DUT Staff and students are sensitized to the larger world by deepening their understanding of themselves, their culture, how they are perceived and how they perceive others. These globally networked courses also intensify disciplinary learning in fields where engaging other cultural perspectives is key. COIL seeks to build bridges between study abroad, instructional design and teaching staff through team- taught courses, thereby promoting, integrating and enhancing international education experiences across the curriculum. Empowerment and advancement of engaging in worldwide learning activities for students(global citizens) and staff.

Proposed COIL Model In the COIL model, students from different cultures enrol in shared courses with staff members from each country co-teaching and managing common projects. COIL model does not merely promote courses where students from different nations co-habit an online classroom, Creation of co-equal learning environments where staff work together to generate a shared syllabus based on solid academic coursework. COIL emphasizes experiential and collaborative student learning opportunities. Classes may be fully online, or offered in blended formats with traditional face-to-face sessions Majority of interactive learning is in the form of collaborative student work occurring online.

Partnering opportunities

List of Selected Partners RMIT-AUSTRALIA VANIER COLLEGE- CANADA UNIVERSITY of ANTWERP-BELGIUM AMSTERDAM UNIVERSITY of APPLIED SCIENCES GLASGLOW CALEDONIAN UNIVERSITY KANSAI UNIVERSITY-JAPAN UNIVERSITAT POTSDAM-GERMANY SAO PAULO STATE UNIVERSITY-BRAZIL KAZAN FEDERAL UNIVERSITY -RUSSIA

Impact of COIL at DUT Encourage and support the development of courses incorporating international collaborations which have a significant online component. Educate ourselves and our colleagues about practices and technologies that can enhance our ability to create inspiring cross-national courses. Create a repository of online resources to facilitate this work. Develop funding sources that can support the incubation and development of innovative international online course work, degree programmes, training and professional development, and life-long learning.

Benefits /advantages of COIL Intellectual journey Research opportunities Staff development Flexibility of COIL Intercultural communication and competence Interdisciplinary nature Sharing of good practices and examples International and professional collaboration Starts a conversation that leads to other forms of collaboration and engagement

Challenges facing COIL Time zones Issues of Technology, technical and administrative support Traditional curriculum/Course Content Assessment of learning Language/s Institutional cultures and expectations Different Academic semesters and requirements Quality Assurance

Case Studies at DUT Information Technology Dental Public Relations Journalism Writing Centre Taxation CELT

The future’s already here. It’s just not evenly distributed The future’s already here. It’s just not evenly distributed. William Gibson