Collaborative Online International Learning at Concordia University of Edmonton
At Concordia University of Edmonton (CUE), Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) has provided students with exciting opportunities to connect across borders, learn from diverse perspectives, and work together on real-world challenges.
What Students Gain Through COIL
Through COIL projects, students can:
- Gain insights into diverse cultural perspectives and practices
- Explore different academic approaches and methodologies
- Develop collaborative problem-solving skills
- Understand various communication styles and strategies
- Examine global issues from multiple viewpoints
- Learn about partner universities’ academic programs
- Discover opportunities for physical mobility programs at partner institutions
COIL is an innovation in pedagogy and curriculum that links accredited courses across universities in different cultural settings. By engaging students and instructors online, COIL fosters meaningful global experiences that are fully integrated into programs of study.
“The project was a great way to experience what virtual teamwork looks like and to gain insights from people with different cultures and backgrounds“
““I really enjoyed collaborating internationally. It gave me new perspectives on global issues and business practices.“
“Working together across borders showed me how important communication, teamwork, and compromise are in today’s world.”
What Instructors Gain Through COIL
COIL also offers significant benefits for instructors, helping them to enhance teaching and research:
- Innovate pedagogy by integrating cross-cultural and collaborative elements into courses
- Expand research perspectives through international collaboration and comparative studies
- Develop new teaching resources and materials with global applicability
- Strengthen mentorship skills by guiding students in virtual, multicultural teamwork
- Build international academic networks, fostering future collaborations and joint research initiatives
Through COIL, instructors can enhance their teaching and resources, strengthen the quality and impact of both teaching and research, and contribute to a richer, globally connected learning environment for students. These outcomes reflect CUE’s Operational Priorities to enhance the student experience and to deliver academic and research excellence.
“The COIL projects involved a lot of critical and strategic thinking, which are so important for our students’ development.”
“It was rewarding to see students step outside their comfort zones and engage with international peers in meaningful ways.”
Past COIL Projects at CUE
- Partner University: Beijing Foreign Studies University (China)
- Area of Expertise: Business simulation, teamwork, and cross-cultural communication
In this project, students from CUE and BFSU collaborated on the Golf Simulation Project, a dynamic initiative exploring the strategic and operational aspects of managing a golf course. Using simulation technology, students worked on challenges such as resource allocation, marketing, and customer service.
- Partner University: Avans University of Applied Sciences (Netherlands)
- Area of Expertise: Supply chain management and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12
This project focused on sustainable strategies in the global oil and gas supply chain, including sourcing, production, transportation, and distribution. Students leveraged cultural perspectives and business expertise to explore environmental and social challenges in international management.
Looking ahead
CUE is proud of the experiences gained through these COIL initiatives and the global friendships they fostered. These past projects serve as a foundation as we continue to explore new opportunities for innovative, internationally connected learning, preparing future leaders to thrive in a global environment.