Collaborative Online International Learning
Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) is a joint approach in which groups of students and their lecturers from The Hague University of Applied Sciences are connected with a group of students and lecturers from an international partner institution.
Students from both universities analyse the environment of the educational institutions from their different perspectives, with a particular focus on metropolitan issues like sustainability or inequality. They exchange experiences, conduct desk research, and carry out field research, for example by conducting interviews with residents and local organisations. Check out our infographic for a visual explanation of how COIL is organised within THUAS.
COIL can be explained on the basis of the acronym:
Collaborative
At THUAS, the collaborative learning process takes centre stage, for both students and lecturers. Educational activities are designed to stimulate interdependence and active collaboration.
Online
COIL is primarily facilitated through online tools. This involves not only the use of digital resources, but above all the targeted deployment of appropriate tools that support effective virtual collaboration.
International
COIL projects require dealing with differences in time zones, cultures, and languages. Our infographic shows that students and lecturers collaborated with partners in 31 countries, 21 of which are within the EU and ten outside. In addition, students develop international and intercultural competencies that are directly connected to their field of study.
Learn
The focus of COIL should be on shared learning outcomes, and not just on activities.
Our projects
Are you interested in learning more about which projects were carried out together with THUAS and its international partners? Click on the button below for an overview of all projects.
Virtual mobility
Virtual exchange, also known as virtual mobility, is an umbrella term for the various ways in which students collaborate online with partners from other countries and cultures within their study programmes. As the development of skills for global citizenship is a joint and collaborative process, The Hague University of Applied Sciences promotes COIL as the most intensive form of virtual exchange.
Experience and expertise
At THUAS, you will find experience and expertise in the field of COIL. This is reflected in both practice and research. We focus on the continuous development of our COIL practices, together with internal and external stakeholders. The Global Learning research group plays an important role in this.