Panel COIL in Japan and beyond: Current status and future directions more

Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), defined by Rubin (2022) as a type of collaborative online exchange embedded in existing courses at educational institutions in different geographical regions, increased in popularity in Japan during the COVID19 pandemic as an alternative to study abroad programs. This panel of COIL practitioners and researchers focuses on the state of COIL in Japan and beyond, discussing how we can ensure COIL prevails as a sustainable pedagogical approach. The panelists share the principles underpinning their COIL projects and address the challenges they have encountered in adapting COIL to fit their contexts. Furthermore, they discuss benefits for COIL practitioners and students, and share best practices for COIL sustainability. Specifically, Oana Cusen provides the background to COIL in Japan and discusses the current challenges COIL faces. Elizabeth Lavolette shares warnings and encouragement based on her failures and successes. Mahboubeh Rakhshandehroo and Kristin Ziegner-Llewellin examine lessons learned from their three-year Japan-Germany COIL partnership. Finally, Matthew Claflin discusses working on the borders of COIL, while Keiji Fujimura introduces a different style of COIL project. The panel concludes with a moderated Q&A session, during which the audience is invited to share their COIL experiences as we consider future directions together.