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COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning)

What is COIL?

COIL stands for Collaborative Online International Learning. It is a pedagogical approach that connects classrooms across borders, allowing students to engage in global learning experiences through virtual collaboration. COIL offers an innovative and accessible way to internationalize a course.

How does it work?

Developing a COIL module requires close collaboration between faculty members from different countries. Instructors may co-design shared activities, which often include:

  • Icebreaker or rapport-building exercises
  • Group formation and collaborative projects
  • Joint presentations
  • Reflective assignments

Faculty partners may establish shared learning outcomes and/or grading criteria. Holding students to common expectations—such as participation, communication, and teamwork—strengthens the learning experience and promotes mutual accountability.

Students may work in mixed teams with peers from the partner institution. Initial activities should help students build rapport, explore cultural differences, and lay the foundation for deeper collaboration. Some discomfort is a natural part of cross-cultural engagement and can become a valuable part of the learning process when supported through guided self-reflection.

2025-2026 COIL Programs Highlights

Faculty frequently think that their course can't be made into a COIL program. However, faculty from across a range of disciplines have turned their existing courses into unique global learning opportunities for 鶹ýӳ students. During the 2025–2026 academic year, 鶹ýӳ’s COIL programming continued to expand across business, education, journalism and media studies, engineering, psychology, mathematics, and interdisciplinary studies. Faculty at both the main campus and 鶹ýӳ Imperial Valley developed and sustained partnerships with institutions in Mexico, Brazil, Chile, and Japan, creating virtual exchange opportunities that ranged from small, seminar-style collaborations to large-scale implementations involving hundreds of students. These projects reflect strong momentum in both new faculty training and continued participation by returning faculty. Several initiatives also included in-person travel, conference presentations, and interdisciplinary innovation, underscoring 鶹ýӳ’s ongoing commitment to internationalizing the curriculum through COIL.
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Eva Nicassio, Faculty Leader

MGT357: Multinational Business and Comparative Management

In the Department of Management in the Fowler College of Business, Professor Eva Nicasio Mercier implemented COIL in MGT 357: Multinational Business and Comparative Management with the Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo in Mexico. The project brought together American students studying cross-cultural management and Mexican students studying marketing in a collaborative business-planning exercise focused on market expansion into Mexico. Conducted on a large scale, the initiative involved 50 鶹ýӳ students, 100 partner-university students, and six faculty members from the partner institution, illustrating the significant reach and impact COIL can have in international business education.

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Dr. Yang Yang, Faculty Leader

M E 596: Advanced Mechanical Engineering Topics

Dr. Yang Yang in Mechanical Engineering at the 鶹ýӳ Main Campus has developed a COIL initiative in ME596: Additive Manufacturing in partnership with UA Yucatán Instituto Altabrisa and the Universidad Autónoma de Chiapas. After completing AMPEI COIL training, Dr. Yang established collaborations with faculty partners at both institutions and secured college-level support for related grant activity. This work has already contributed to broader recognition, including an NSF CAREER award in June 2025, demonstrating how COIL can support both innovative teaching and faculty research development at 鶹ýӳ.
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Cynthia Ferreiro, Faculty Leader

PSY 331: Psychology of Infant and Child Development

At 鶹ýӳ Imperial Valley, Dr. Cynthia Ferreiro has been developing a COIL opportunity in Psychology of Childhood and Infant Development with the UABC Facultad de Humanidades. The partnership-building process included active coordination with faculty at the partner institution and planning for training and implementation in Spring 2025. The initiative has already received visibility through inclusion in the dean’s newsletter and participation in the Re:Border 2025 panel in Mexicali, reflecting growing interest in COIL as a way to expand cross-border collaboration in psychology and human development.
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Dr. Carlos D. Paternina

MIS 753: Global Supply Chain Analytics

Dr. Carlos D. Paternina in the Fowler College of Business has built a COIL project in Global Supply Chain and Operations Management with partners at Tecnológico de Monterrey and the Universidad de La Sabana. Following completion of AMPEI training, he established faculty partnerships that connect 鶹ýӳ students with international perspectives on supply chains and operations. This work has been further strengthened by external support through the 100,000 Strong in the Americas-funded CATCHI project, focused on improving the cacao value chain in Colombia, and by related binational conference activity in transportation and logistics.

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Dr. Sarah Maheronnaghsh

DLE 523: Psychological Foundations for Biliteracy Teachers in K-6 Classrooms and ED 450: Study Abroad

In the College of Education, Dr. Sarah Maheronnaghsh has advanced COIL planning for DLE 523 and ED 450 through a partnership with UABC Tijuana. Her work connects dual language and English learner education with international collaboration, creating opportunities for students to engage across borders in ways that strengthen intercultural awareness and educational practice. The initiative has also gained visibility through presentation at the Re:Border conference, underscoring its value as a cross-border teaching model.
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Dr. Marva Cappello

ED 811: Seminar in Global Education

Dr. Marva Cappello in Teacher Education developed a COIL experience for ED 811 in partnership with La Salle University. A notable feature of this project is that the virtual exchange was complemented by in-person travel, showing how COIL at 鶹ýӳ can extend beyond online collaboration to deepen academic and cultural engagement. This model highlights the potential for COIL to serve as both an instructional innovation and a bridge to broader international learning experiences.
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Loarre Andreu Perez

JMS 481: Public Relations Writing and JMS 780: Advanced Theory in Public Relations

In the School of Journalism and Media Studies, Loarre Andreu Perez is planning a COIL experience for JMS 481 and JMS 780 in Spring 2026 with the Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas in Brazil. This partnership, developed with Dr. Zuleica Queiroz Guimaraes Manente, broadens 鶹ýӳ’s international engagement beyond the U.S.-Mexico border and demonstrates the reach of COIL into media and communication studies through partnerships in Latin America.
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Amanda Marino

ACCT 503: Federal Taxation of Individuals

Within the Fowler College of Business, Amanda Marino is developing a COIL project for ACCT 503 in Spring 2026 with UABC Tijuana, in collaboration with Dr. Luis Ávila López and Dr. Jorge Alfonso Galvan Leon. The course is designed as a COIL+ experience that combines virtual exchange with in-person travel, illustrating how 鶹ýӳ faculty are using COIL to create deeper academic and cultural engagement for students while strengthening binational partnerships in business education.
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Valeria Alexandra

BA 310: Foundations of Business in a Global Environment

Also in the Fowler College of Business, Valeria Alexandra is leading one of the most ambitious COIL efforts in the 2025–2026 cycle through BA 310: Introduction to the Program of Study in Business Administration, a required core course for business students. In partnership with Tec de Monterrey and Dr. Luis Gerardo Roja, this initiative is scheduled for Spring 2026 and is expected to involve more than 500 students across the two institutions. Because BA 310 serves such a large student population, this project represents a major step toward scaling COIL within 鶹ýӳ’s business curriculum and expanding global learning opportunities at significant volume.
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Alex Yao

MKTG 480: Marketing Analytics

Alex Yao, also in the Fowler College of Business, is implementing COIL in MKTG 480: Marketing Analytics during Fall 2025 through 鶹ýӳ’s ongoing partnership with the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. Working with COIL collaborators connected to TUFS and building on the relationship with Dr. Aya Fukuda, Professor Yao plans to integrate a COIL component across all three course sections, extending international collaboration to students in marketing analytics and reinforcing 鶹ýӳ’s sustained commitment to global partnerships in Asia.
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Samuel Shen

Math 252: Calculus III and Math 586: Climate Mathematics

In the College of Science, Samuel Shen is preparing to bring COIL into Math 252 and Math 586 in Spring 2026. Although the spreadsheet provides limited partnership details for this entry, the inclusion of mathematics and statistics in the 2025–2026 cohort signals the continued spread of COIL into STEM disciplines at 鶹ýӳ and the growing interest in adapting international virtual exchange for quantitatively focused courses.
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Marva Cappello

ED 811: Seminar in Global Education

Marva Cappello, also in the College of Education, is offering ED 811 in Fall 2025 in partnership with La Salle University. Her project continues 鶹ýӳ’s strong COIL+ model by pairing virtual exchange with in-person travel, and her work has also been highlighted through participation in the 2025 Re:Border Conference, where she presented on her COIL experience. This initiative reflects how COIL can support both innovative teaching and broader institutional visibility for international education.
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Paul Luelmo

SPED 534: Classroom Assessment of Students with Mild/Moderate Disabilities

In the College of Education, Paul Luelmo is developing an especially innovative interdisciplinary COIL project for SPED 534: Classroom Assessment of Students with Mild/Moderate Disabilities in Spring 2026 with partners at Tec de Monterrey. Working with Dr. Astrid María Mues Zepeda and Dr. Marielle Rivero Vázquez, both from architecture, this collaboration stands out for intentionally bridging special education and architecture to create a shared learning experience relevant to both groups of students. It highlights the creative potential of COIL to foster interdisciplinary problem-solving across national and disciplinary boundaries.
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Dr. Mei Zhong

PSFA 350: International Studies

In Journalism and Media Studies, returning participant Mei Zhong is continuing COIL work in PSFA 350: Introduction to International Studies during Spring 2026. Her current partnerships include collaborators at the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies and Universidad de la Salle, while her broader COIL history includes work with DUOC UC in Chile and UABC Tijuana. The project reflects both continuity and expansion in 鶹ýӳ’s international studies offerings, while also documenting practical lessons such as navigating uneven class sizes and time-zone differences, challenges that are common in sustaining global classroom collaboration.
Eva Nicasio Mercier

What faculty have to say

This COIL project advances departmental priorities in experiential learning, internationalization, and community building. Faculty gain a scalable model for cross-border collaboration—and a reminder that patience and flexibility open the door to students “learning the world,” not just the content.
Eva Nicasio Mercier
Lecturer, Management Department

Interested in learning more or partnering on a COIL project?

 Contact Program Development Specialist Motoko Kiuchi at [email protected].

As noted by de Wit (2013), “The term ‘collaborative online international learning’ combines the four essential dimensions of real virtual mobility: it is a collaborative exercise of teachers and students; it makes use of online technology and interaction; it has potential international dimensions; and it is integrated into the learning.”

Creating a COIL module involves a significant time commitment. The Office of International Affairs is exploring options to compensate faculty for their efforts, such as providing course release time or offering a stipend.

Whether a COIL module meets the international experience requirement will be determined by the student’s respective college. Faculty are encouraged to consult their college’s International Affairs Liaison, who may contact the Office of International Affairs for further clarification.

There is no additional fee for students enrolled in a COIL course as compared to a traditional, non-COIL course.

Language differences are a natural challenge in COIL projects. Success depends on addressing these differences proactively. Instructors may integrate a language component into the curriculum, provide introductory language training, and use tools such as Google Translate. Where possible, lectures may be subtitled to support comprehension across languages.

COIL modules can be effectively paired with travel experiences. For instance, a virtual partnership with a foreign institution can precede an in-country component. This may involve 鶹ýӳ students visiting the partner institution or welcoming faculty and students from abroad to San Diego.

COIL is applicable across all academic disciplines and can facilitate connections between different subject areas. For example, a Hospitality and Tourism Management course could collaborate with a Hospitality class in Japan to explore cross-cultural approaches to service. Alternatively, a Public Health course at 鶹ýӳ might work with an Architecture course abroad to co-design spaces that promote well-being.

While traditionally designed for inter-university collaboration, COIL may also be implemented with international businesses or NGOs. However, to maintain its core objective—intercultural student collaboration—partner organizations must facilitate engagement with students from the target culture. This adds a layer of coordination for the non-academic partner.

The Office of International Affairs is actively seeking ways to connect 鶹ýӳ faculty with instructors at partner institutions. Faculty interested in developing a COIL module are encouraged to reach out. If existing international contacts already exist, faculty are welcome to develop modules independently with those partners.

There is no single required platform for COIL modules. Faculty and their international counterparts are encouraged to select the tools that best fit their shared instructional goals. Testing all platforms in advance is strongly recommended to ensure smooth implementation.

Grading should be coordinated between co-instructors to ensure equity and clarity. Students at both institutions should be held to similar standards, and COIL participation should be fully integrated into the overall course grade. Consistent expectations help support a high-quality student experience.

Students at 鶹ýӳ will enroll only in the 鶹ýӳ course, while students at partner institutions will enroll at their own institutions. Cross-enrollment is not required.

COIL modules are designed to:

  • Encourage students to reflect critically on their identity in relation to their international peers.
  • Explore the impact of personal actions on others across the globe.
  • Integrate diverse perspectives on global challenges.
  • Cultivate ongoing engagement with global issues.

To meet these goals, faculty may include assignments such as:

  • Cultural research projects
  • Discussions of expected collaboration challenges
  • Critical self-reflection on cultural discomforts and differences
  • Analysis of how culture influences behavior
  • Identification of tools for global engagement


These elements may evolve based on faculty feedback. Updated Global Learning Outcomes will be available on the International Affairs website.

鶹ýӳ’s Instructional Technology Services (ITS) supports faculty in the use of academic technologies. Faculty can access help at its.sdsu.edu/support. When choosing tools, it is essential to ensure that both faculty and students at the partner institution have equal access to the selected technologies.

It is entirely possible to develop COIL modules with more than one international partner. While this introduces additional complexity due to varying time zones and institutional differences, multi-country collaborations can be very successful.

Although the peer-reviewed literature on COIL is still developing, many institutions around the world have implemented it successfully. A leading resource in the U.S. is the SUNY COIL Center, which offers comprehensive information and guidance.

Because COIL modules require close collaboration between faculty at different institutions, the development process typically takes between three to six months. If partnerships and instructor interest are already in place, a module could be developed in time for the upcoming semester.

The format of a COIL course depends on various factors, including time zones, internet access, and language fluency. A common structure is 75% asynchronous and 25% synchronous, though this can vary. Some modules are entirely asynchronous, while others may incorporate live sessions if feasible.

Often, students are not aware that their course includes a COIL component until the semester begins. This allows for a broader range of students—including those unlikely to pursue international experiences voluntarily—to benefit from global learning. In some cases, promoting the international collaboration in advance may also attract curious and enthusiastic students.

COIL modules typically involve small intercultural groups of 4–6 students, with at least two students from each institution. This format allows for manageable collaboration and accommodates differences in class sizes.

Synchronous interaction is not required for COIL, and coordinating class schedules across time zones can be challenging. However, students may arrange synchronous meetings with their international peers outside class hours if appropriate. These meetings can be recorded using platforms like Zoom to share with instructors.

While COIL offers a rewarding and transformative experience for both faculty and students, it is time-intensive. The coordination and planning required are substantial—but the benefits of intercultural collaboration and global engagement are well worth the effort.

How to learn more?

Contact: Motoko Kiuchi

email: [email protected]