SUNY Hosts Conference on Collaborative Online International Learning

New York City – The State University of New York today commenced a two-day conference on Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), an emerging concept that expands study abroad programs by enabling students to have a significant cross-cultural experience online, in addition to or instead of in-person. These globally networked classes can also serve as portals for SUNY students considering study abroad or for international students considering study at SUNY.

“Allowing students to virtually experience higher education abroad without leaving campus is a deeply innovative concept that is taking shape and putting down roots across the U.S. and internationally,” said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher. “As a truly global community that serves more than 18,000 students from more than 160 nations, SUNY is proud to be at the forefront with COIL.

“The increasing popularity of new media and other online technologies, coupled with a challenging economy that may limit the affordability of travel abroad, has sparked great interest in COIL, which provides a viable alternative for students who want to engage the world and experience international learning.”

The conference is being held at the SUNY Center for Collaborative Online International Learning at the SUNY Global Center in New York City. Throughout the conference, attendees will be provided with a rich overview of the developing field of globally networked learning and have the opportunity to share experiences and innovative teaching models.

The conference has brought together more than 160 faculty members, international programs staff, instructional design/technology staff, and upper-level university administrators from 35 SUNY campuses and more than 40 other institutions from the U.S. and abroad.

Collaboration and Technology in International Online Learning Environments: Constructing a New Paradigm, was booked beyond capacity and is also being webcast live. To access the webcast, click here.

“COIL leverages what makes SUNY a great system of higher education: world-class faculty, extensive experience and success with international programs, distance education and online learning to provide global and cross cultural experiences for SUNY students who would otherwise be denied access,” said SUNY Empire State College Provost Meg Benke, who is attending the conference. “COIL acts as a catalyst for innovation and collaboration and Chancellor Zimpher’s insight and leadership are greatly appreciated.”

The COIL Center is taking on a large role as SUNY carries out its strategic plan, The Power of SUNY, and specifically in one of its primary components—SUNY and the World—by addressing the need for greater international focus at SUNY and providing a global networking environment for students.

The COIL Center’s mission is to develop and implement online collaborative international courses at SUNY as a format for experiential cross-cultural learning, thereby sensitizing participating students to the larger world by deepening their understanding of themselves, their culture, how they are perceived, and how they perceive others.

COIL builds bridges between study abroad, instructional design, and teaching faculty through team-taught courses, promoting, integrating and enhancing international education experiences across the curriculum. The COIL Center also works with international programs offices, helping them integrate technology into their workflow.

COIL has been actively working with faculty members, instructional designers and international programs to develop collaborative online international courses where faculty members partner and co-teach a course or course module across global boundaries.

About the State University of New York

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive university system in the United States, educating more than 467,000 students in more than 7,500 degree and certificate programs on 64 campuses with more than 2.5 million alumni around the globe. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunity, visit www.suny.edu