A Journey Beginning
Collaborative Online International Learning in SOCW 4800

Presented by
• Dr. Bala Nikku
• Ken Monroe
• Erin May

Presentation Outline
Section 1: COIL logistics
Section 2: Process and Delivery issues
Section 3: A Student Journal

What is Collaborative Online International Learning?
Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) is one of the leading
international organizations focused on the emerging field of Globally
Networked Learning (GNL); a teaching and learning methodology which
provides innovative cost-effective internationalization strategies.
Such programs foster faculty and student interaction with peers abroad
through co-taught multicultural online and blended learning environments
emphasizing experiential student collaboration.
COIL was founded by Prof. Jon Rubin as a faculty-led initiative at SUNY's
Purchase College with support from SUNY System Administration's Office of
International Programs and the SUNY Learning Network. For more information
go the SUNY COIL CENTER

COIL at TRU
The starting point of any COIL project is to identify and appropriate
international partner. In this case, because Bala has taught Social
Work in a number of universities in different countries, finding a
partner was not too difficult.
For SOCW 4800 – Muhammad Jafar, PhD
Lecturer,Dept.of Social Work
The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan
We also have collaboration from NEPAL: KADAMBARI College of Social Work, Purbanchal
University ( for this current semester)

Technologies to connect
Asynchronous – participation is at the time discretion of the
participant but available for all to see. Discussion Forums.
Synchronous – real time communication linking people together.
Video Conference or audio conference

Asynchronous
We use a service called MatterMost.
It allows for users to easily sign-on and is supported by TRU-OL staff
Compiles with Canadian privacy laws
Allows sharing at a variety of levels.

Course Layout
Readings are
selected and
shared on the
MatterMost
site.
Using OER
Resources.
No text book.

Course discussions
Course content is
posted. Discussion
topics are given a
hashtag to make
them searchable
and grouped.

Synchronous
We’ve use two different systems:
TRU has an account with Blue Jeans to provide video conference services. It is
accessed by sending a link to people by email.
We’ve also used Big Blue Button, which is accessed directly from the
MatterMost course site.
Both system allow for recording and playback of the meetings.

Synchronous
We’ve had
meetings with
participants
from Pakistan,
Nepal and
Canada work
wonderfully
and also
poorly.

Learning Outcomes: Why COIL ??
• Analyze international dimensions of social work and connections
between the local and global
• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of contemporary international
issues and perspectives, and their implications for social work in
Canada.
• Compare theoretical, ideological perspectives and research
development in the current international social work
• Apply theoretical understanding gained in the classroom on to the
field situations, in other words be able to practice international
social work with in the available time, resources and campus
learning opportunities

Towards OER

Delivery Issues :Cultural, Institutional,
Technological and Legal
Cultural :

What’s in it for the students? And also for Faculty involved?
Institutional :

Faculty support, Institutional support systems, Accreditation,
Collaboration between Bala , Ken and Erin ( within TRU)
Technological :

Type of Tools, Access issues
State of technology : on TRU and in partner country ( Pakistan)
Time differences
Legal: Visa issues, IPR and access to other resources

Insights : how to move forward?
COIL : Collaboration ??
Technology computability issues
TRU Classroom set-up
Student motivation and Engagement ( incentives) : a journal for
further collaborative learning ….

Student Journal
As a further outlet to deepen
student engagement, a new
Open Access journal has been
created to enable students to
publish their work.

Digital Commons Network

Journal
Homepage:
Demo Version

Configuration Page
add descriptions to
pages
modify settings of
the journal
create volumes and
issues for articles to
be submitted to

Manage Submissions Page
assign submissions
to peer reviewers
make decisions for
acceptance/
rejection
assign articles to
issues

Student
Guidelines

Open Access and Paywalls

The above article from British Journal of Social Work is available
through TRU Library; however, it is behind a steep paywall for
non-affiliated individuals.

Donovan, J., Rose, D., & Connolly, M. (2017).
A crisis of identity: Social work theorising at a
time of change. British Journal of Social Work,
47(8), 2291-2307. doi:10.1093/bjsw/bcw180