DOWNLOAD the SPARK-COIL Guidebook for Instructors.
We are happy to announce the release of the “SPARK – COIL Guidebook for Instructors“, a resource designed to empower educators in implementing Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) initiatives. Co-funded by the European Union , this guidebook is a key output of the SPARK-COIL project, titled “Strengthen and Promote Academic Agility, Resilience, and Knowledge Exchange through Collaborative Online International Learning”.
What is COIL?
COIL is an innovative virtual teaching and learning model that connects students and faculty from different institutions and countries. It integrates intercultural and collaborative learning directly into coursework through co-designed, co-taught modules. Students work together on joint projects, share cultural perspectives, and build critical skills, all without the need for physical travel. This inclusive and accessible approach provides global learning opportunities for a broader demographic, including those who may face financial or logistical barriers to international mobility.
Why This Guidebook Matters
The SPARK-COIL project specifically aims to address implementation gaps in COIL across Philippine Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). By building a centralized COIL program in collaboration with European partners like the University of Alicante (Spain) and WSB University (Poland) , we envision empowering Philippine HEIs to launch and sustain their own COIL programs through dedicated training, robust support systems, and facilitated partnerships.
This guidebook is your essential companion for navigating the complexities of intercultural collaboration in an online environment. It introduces the COIL model, outlines its myriad benefits, and provides practical, step-by-step instructions for effective implementation. It also offers strategies to overcome common challenges such as time zone differences, language barriers, and technology access.
Benefits of COIL
The guidebook highlights the transformative impact of COIL for:
• Students: Develops intercultural competence, technological fluency, and practical problem-solving skills, preparing them for an interconnected globalized world.
• Instructors: Enriches pedagogical practices, broadens professional horizons through international collaboration, and allows for the integration of global perspectives into curricula.
• Institutions: Fosters strong international partnerships, promotes inclusive internationalization, and enhances global reputation, aligning with strategic goals.
We encourage all instructors interested in fostering global citizenship and enriching their courses through virtual exchange to explore this valuable resource!
About the project:
SPARK-COIL, an Erasmus+ Capacity Building for Higher Education (CBHE) project, marks a first for the Philippines. It is the only CBHE project proposed by a Philippine consortium, bringing together all five Ateneo Universities in the country: Ateneo de Manila University (Coordinator), Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan, Ateneo de Davao University, Ateneo de Naga University, and Ateneo de Zamboanga University. European partners include the University of Alicante (Spain) and Akademia WSB (Poland).