Practice Reports

Development of a U.S./U.K. Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) partnership for undergraduate education in public health

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21827/jve.7.41058

Keywords:

collaborative online international learning, COIL, public health, international healthcare, undergraduate education

Abstract

Preparing future public health (U.S.) or health and social care (U.K.) professionals for international settings is imperative in today’s higher education landscape. Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) is an innovative form of virtual exchange (VE) that provides students with international experience, cultural competence, and an understanding of global healthcare needs. This practice report summarizes how two universities in the U.S. and U.K. co-developed a COIL unit for their public health and health and social care students to learn about international healthcare systems. Public health faculty used SUNY COIL planning strategies and backward course design to guide the planning of the COIL unit. The learning processes and outcomes were designed to support program and campus learning outcomes that align with domain areas required by the Council on Education for Public Health. The planning process, curriculum, and technology used for the COIL unit are outlined. Evaluation of the unit included achieving student learning outcomes at the course, program, and campus levels; changes in intercultural awareness based on the Intercultural Knowledge and Competence VALUE Rubric; benefits to students, research assistants, and faculty; and alignment with the qualities of VE.

Author Biographies

Amy Versnik Nowak, University of Minnesota Duluth

Dr. Versnik Nowak, PhD, is an associate professor in the Department of Applied Human Sciences at the University of Minnesota Duluth.

Marzell Gray, University of Minnesota Duluth

Dr. Gray, DrPH, is an assistant professor in the Department of Applied Human Sciences at the University of Minnesota Duluth.

Damilola Omodara, Nottingham Trent University

Dr. Omodara, PhD, is a senior lecturer in the School of Social Sciences at Nottingham Trent University.

Linda Gibson, Nottingham Trent University

Dr. Gibson, PhD, is a Professor in the School of Social Sciences at Nottingham Trent University.

Published

2024-04-09

Issue

Vol. 7 (2024)

Section

Practice Reports

Copyright (c) 2024 Amy Versnik Nowak, Marzell Gray, Damilola Omodara, Linda Gibson

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