Ohio State faculty and instructors interested in learning how to design an interculturally mediated project with international partners are encouraged to apply to participate in the 2022 Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL)/Virtual Exchange Learning Community, which will take place throughout the month of May. The purpose of the learning community 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.
The Office of International Affairs, the Michael V. Drake Institute for Teaching and Learning, and the Office of Technology and Digital Innovation Distance Education and Career Pathways will facilitate the program.
Applicants selected to participate will learn how to create appropriate intercultural learning outcomes, find resources for online learning and administer valid and reliable assessment measures. Additionally, each participant will receive a grant of $1,500 to be used for course development, materials and professional development.
The COIL/Virtual Exchange Learning Community has a specific focus on alternative education abroad, virtual exchange logistics and best practices for facilitating intercultural learning in online settings. Faculty and instructors who have experience in developing education abroad programs are encouraged to apply.
Learning community meetings will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays, May 3 – 26, 3-4:30 pm. The expected total time commitment is 20-26 hours. All meetings will be synchronous and online via Microsoft Teams. Participants will be expected to read/view/work through resources provided by facilitators to prepare for weekly meetings.
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.
Contact:
Cindy Jiang - Office of International Affairs
Shed Siliman - Drake Institute for Teaching and Learning
Laurie Maynell - Office of Technology and Digital Innovation, Distance Education and Career Pathways
Who can participate?
Faculty and instructors from all colleges and campuses are welcome to apply, especially those with experience in developing courses on global learning and intercultural experiences. The COIL/Virtual Exchange Learning Community has a specific focus on alternative education abroad, virtual exchange logistics and best practices for facilitating intercultural learning in online settings.
What is the value for participants?
The COIL/Virtual Exchange Learning Community will introduce COIL and its core components. Participants will learn how to 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. There will be opportunities to engage in intercultural interactions and collaborations with faculty from UNIMINUTO, one of the largest universities in Colombia. Each participant will receive a grant of $1,500 to be used for course development, materials, and professional development.
How many hours per week?
Eight 90-minute meetings with other learning community members will take place May 3-26, 2022, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3-4:30 p.m. Meetings will be held virtually in Microsoft Teams. Preparation for meetings is estimated at two to three hours per week. The total time commitment for May is 20-26 hours.
During the subsequent academic year, 2022-23, we will have the option to meet monthly to share progress in a supportive space.
Will there be homework?
Yes. In advance of each meeting participants will be asked 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 participants have an international partner in mind, you might choose to spend additional time communicating with that person to set up your COIL project.
Do I already have to have an international partner?
No. There are resources available to help you find one. A few faculty from UNIMINUTO Bogotá will also participate in the synchronous sessions and exchange ideas for collaboration.
When will I receive my funds?
Funds will be distributed to the applicant’s department in June 2022.
What are eligible expenses?
Opportunities and materials that further participants’ professional development as they 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, conferences on teaching that include sessions with an intercultural focus. Funds may also be used for resources that will support participants and their students in their intercultural knowledge building and global learning. Some examples are: using the Global Competence Certificate modules in the course, intercultural assessments 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 participants through the course design process.
Should I know course design/backwards design?
It is helpful but is not necessary.
When does my COIL-Virtual Exchange course have to happen?
Preferably by December 2023.
Do I have to submit a final report?
Yes. The report should include information about the COIL/Virtual Exchange course implementation, student learning outcomes, and how the grant funds were used. Details will be forthcoming.
Am I eligible for a teaching endorsement upon completion?
This is not an approved pathway toward any of the current endorsement offerings. However, participants may be able to use this project for Instructional Redesign.
Can I use this for an Instructional Redesign project?
Yes!. If participants are tenure-track, clinical, teaching or practice faculty or full-time lecturer (75% appointment or greater) and have completed the Teaching@OhioState Carmen Course, they are eligible to participate in instructional redesign. Visit the Drake Institute Instructional Redesign web page for details.