2019 Global Coil Initiative Symposium to take place Oct. 21-24

The Global COIL Initiative (GCI) Symposium will be held on the Athens campus, Oct. 21-24.

The symposium will bring together Ohio University faculty and teaching staff, as well as faculty and staff from its 12 partner institutions, in 11 different countries to work hands on in developing a class to teach collaboratively online.

Prior to the international participants coming to Athens, GCI participants have been enrolled in a learning community, with the international partners joining through zoom.

“One of the unique features of this FLC is that we wanted to give the same training to both OHIO and international faculty so that an equity in collaboration is maintained,” stated Purba Das, academic lead of the GCI, and associate professor of communications.

Following the symposium participants will attend the International Virtual Exchange Conference in Tacoma, Washington, Oct. 25-26.

Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) is an opportunity for faculty and teaching staff to connect their students with other students around the globe and across disciplines on a joint project using internet technology and social media.  

COIL is ideal as there are minimal costs as classrooms are connected via the internet, so no travel costs for students are necessary and there are no credit transfer or curriculum modification, as assignments are part of an existing course.

The current COIL cohort includes faculty and staff members from the following universities:

• Africa
  • University of Botswana - Botswana
  • University of Cape Coast - Ghana
  • University of Ghana-Legon - Ghana
  • Garden City University College - Ghana
  • Kenyatta University - Kenya
  • Rhodes University - South Africa
  • Stellenbosch University - South Africa
• Asia
  • Gopikabai Sitaram Gawande College - India
  • Chubu University – Japan
  • Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) – Malaysia
  • King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi – Thailand
• Europe
  • Leipzig University – Germany
• Latin America
  • Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador (PUCE) – Ecuador

From OHIO, the participants include:

• College of Arts and Sciences
• College of Business
• Patton College of Education
• Russ College of Engineering and Technology
• College of Fine Arts
• College of Health Sciences and Professions
• Center for International Studies
• Office of Regional Higher Education
• Honors Tutorial College 

In addition to working on the COIL course content, participants will get a change to visit the GRID lab and one of the Ohio University Learning Network sites, as well as attend presentations on global opportunities and grant and research opportunities at OHIO.

All symposium events are free and open to the public, however RSVPs are appreciated to the three main events:

• Global COIL Symposium Opening: Monday, Oct. 21, 10-11 a.m. in Nelson Commons
• Global COIL Welcome Reception: Monday, Oct. 21, 5-7 p.m. at Jackie O's Taproom
• Global COIL Symposium Closing Luncheon: Thursday, Oct. 24, noon-2 p.m. at Baker University Center 240/242

To see the full GCI Symposium schedule, visit https://www.ohio.edu/global/cis/COIL.cfm.

If you would like any additional information, please contact COILOhio@ohio.edu.