Collaborative Online International Learning/Virtual Exchange Learning Community

The Office of International Affairs and the Drake Institute have created a learning community to promote Collaborative Online International Learning/Virtual Exchange (COIL/VE). The aim is to support instructors in designing new global and intercultural student learning experiences in virtual modalities. These new programs, which may be course-based or project-based, should connect Ohio State students with their peers at home and around the world through collaborative learning and meaningful intercultural interactions in a virtual space.

Who can participate?
Faculty and instructors from all colleges and campuses are welcome to apply. We are particularly encouraging those with experience in developing education abroad programs as the COIL/VE Learning Community has a specific focus on study abroad alternatives, virtual exchange logistics, and best practices of facilitating intercultural learning in online settings.

What is the value for participants?
The COIL/VE Learning Community will introduce various modes of COIL and its core components. Participants will learn how to partner with international colleagues, choose appropriate intercultural learning outcomes, find resources for online learning and administer valid and reliable assessment measures. They will become familiar with various ways to facilitate intercultural learning and collaborate in virtual contexts. Each participant will receive a grant of $1,500 to be used for course development, materials and professional development.

Important dates and application:
Learning Community meetings will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays in May from 1-2 pm (May 4-27).  The expected total time commitment is 20 hours. All meetings will be synchronous via CarmenZoom. Participants will be expected to read/view/work through resources provided by facilitators to prepare for weekly meetings.

  • Applications open: March 5
  • Applications due: April 5
  • Notifications to Applicants: April 12
  • Commitment forms due: April 15

Applications will be reviewed by a steering committee consisting of faculty as well as staff from the Office of International Affairs and the Drake Institute.

Apply here

 

FAQ:

How many hours per week?

8 one-hour meetings with other community members (2 meetings per week) will take place during May 4-27, 2021, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1-2 pm via CarmenZoom. Preparation for meetings (see homework, below) is estimated at 2-3 hours per week.

Will there be homework?

Yes. In advance of each meeting we will ask you to engage with specific material pertaining to the topic of the meeting. These may be articles, book chapters, case studies, or videos. In addition, if you have an international partner in mind already, you might choose to spend additional time communicating with that person to set up your Virtual Exchange.

Do I already have to have an international partner?

No. There are resources available to help you find one. We can point you toward those resources.

When can I have my funds?

Funds will be distributed to the applicant’s department in June 2021.

What are eligible expenses?

Opportunities and materials that further your own professional development as you design and prepare to teach a COIL/VE course. Some examples are: participating in training on intercultural communication or training in facilitating intercultural learning; taking the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI); books, conference on teaching that include sessions with an intercultural focus. You may also use your funds for resources that will support you or your students in their intercultural knowledge and global learning. Some examples are: using the Global Competence Certificate modules in your course (see: https://www.globalup.com/); intercultural assessment, or books.

Participants will submit a budget form to OIA for approval prior to the distribution of funds.

Is this a Course Design Institute?

No. We will refer to backwards course design but we will not walk you through the course design process.

Should I know course design/backwards design?

It is helpful but is not necessary.

When does my COIL/VE course have to happen?

Preferably by December 2022.

Do I have to submit a final report?

Yes. The report should include information about your COIL/VE course implementation, student learning outcomes, and how your used your grant funds. Details will be forthcoming.

Am I eligible for a teaching endorsement upon completion?

This is not an approved pathway toward any current endorsement offerings. However, you may be able to use this project as part of the Drake Institute's Instructional Redesign program.

Can I use this for an Instructional Redesign project?

Yes! If you are a tenure-track, clinical, teaching or practice faculty or full time lecturer (75% appointment or greater) and you have completed the Teaching @ Ohio State Carmen Course, you are eligible to participate in instructional redesign. See the Drake Institute Instructional Redesign page for details.

 

Please contact Cindy Jiang (Jiang.533@osu.edu)Office of International Affairs, or  Laurie Maynell (maynell.1@osu.edu), Drake Institute for Teaching and Learning with additional questions.