Observation visit to Coventry University

On September 2-6, 2019, the Centre for Global Learning: Education and Attainment (GLEA) of Coventry University hosted an observation visit with 31 staff arriving from the five Jordanian Universities of the JOVITAL project, to observe how Collaborative Online International Learning projects (COIL) are created and delivered at Coventry University.

This was an opportunity for the consortium members to experience a wide variety of COIL projects and to see the pedagogical benefits of online learning. With example projects being presented by each of the four Coventry University faculties, our guests experienced a range of projects involving robots, simulated hospital patients and other innovative experiences with partner universities from across the globe.

In addition, the visit offered some valuable insights into the practical considerations of developing and delivering COIL, ranging from intercultural considerations to navigating time zone differences and grappling with technology. Fundamentally, discussions focused on questioning why COIL is being considered, and to what (potential) effect as part of students learning. One of the key takeaways from the JOVITAL project so far is that, although technology may be a key factor in COIL, it is not simply enough to buy new software or hardware and expect success; it takes significant time, energy and training to realise a meaningful and successful COIL project.

Partner events such as the recent one in Coventry provide essential opportunities for developing cultural awareness for curriculum transformation, and in sharing and discussing our different as well as reciprocal educational practices. This is an exciting time for the project, with staff and students alike experiencing new and innovative pedagogies for teaching and learning within Higher Education.