Gaining Perspectives and Global Awareness through Collaborative Online Learning (COIL)

Global learning in higher education has transitioned from being an opportunity for the privileged few to a core competency for all students.  Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) offers all students an opportunity to interact directly with students and faculty from a distant global culture.  This is especially important for students who might otherwise not be able to travel abroad due to finances, different physical abilities, or family obligations.  Just as the rewards of COIL are numerous so are the challenges including language, time zones, technology, and different levels of comfort with online learning.  This presentation will discuss the rewards and challenges of a newly created COIL course in the Doctor of Nursing Practice in Health Innovation and Leadership.  The COIL course required many modifications in order to be successful but the outcome is that our students are prepared to lead global health care both at home and abroad.