COIL – Collaborative Online International Learning / Virtual Exchange

Especially within Europe, the term "Virtual Exchange" is also used for COIL.

What is COIL?

Constituent elements of Collaborative Online International Learning are:

  • Collaboration between teachers at universities in different countries: Teachers consult with colleagues at the partner university within their own, thematically similar course and plan joint online teaching units; courses do not need to be completely digital and can be combined with face-to-face teaching.
  • Interactive tasks for students to work on in internationally mixed teams - "Students engage in collaborative online work with students from other universities as part of their studies at their local institution"
  • Students receive credits for the course at their home university

Benefits

  • Unbureaucratic implementation - no bilateral agreements or authorisation required
  • International & intercultural experience for students, often also acquisition of foreign language skills, acquisition of digital competences
  • Enabling international experience also for non-mobile students (care obligations, employment); climate-friendly


Resources for COIL at the University of Vienna

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Element in new Erasmus+ programme generation (2021-2027)

Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programmes

The combination of COIL elements and short-term physical mobility (e.g. joint summer school, project week) can be funded as Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme (BIP).