Practice Reports

An introduction to local and global health behaviors using a Collaborative Online International Learning exchange

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21827/jve.6.38839

Keywords:

collaborative online international learning (COIL), psychology, higher education

Abstract

Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), uses technology to facilitate the engagement of students from different countries in collaborative coursework and sharing of cultural perspectives. The existing literature concerning COIL exchanges points to the need to further explore student satisfaction and engagement with such exchange projects, and whether course learning outcomes are being achieved. This practice paper describes a COIL exchange between students of health psychology at Mary Immaculate College, Ireland, and Sacred Heart University, in the United States. During this 10-week project students were required to engage in synchronous and asynchronous activities. Following the completion of the COIL project, students were given a questionnaire to assess their course satisfaction and whether learning outcomes were achieved. Findings indicate that students were satisfied with the exchange and learning outcomes were met. Overall, COIL may serve as another teaching approach to help students learn course specific material, understand multicultural viewpoints, and enhance their professional skill set.    

Author Biographies

Niamh M. Higgins, Department of Psychology, Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, Ireland

Dr Niamh Higgins is a lecturer in Psychology at Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, Ireland where she lectures in research methods and statistics and in health psychology. Her research interests are in the area of stress, health, and well-being, and also in the scholarship of teaching and learning.

Lisa B. Smith, Department of Psychology, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, Connecticut, USA

Professor Lisa Smith is a Lecturer in the Psychology Department at Sacred Heart University. She is a clinical psychologist with extensive training in health psychology. Her teaching and scholarship interests center on fostering individuals’ emotional and physical well-being. She promotes using interdisciplinary approaches in collaborative projects at SHU and internationally.

Published

2023-11-08

Issue

Vol. 6 (2023)

Section

Practice Reports

Copyright (c) 2023 Niamh M. Higgins, Lisa B. Smith

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