SUNY Maritime, SUNY Oneonta, Nassau Community College & Universidad Catolica Andres Bello in Venezuela, together with the SUNY Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) Center & SUNY Online, have designed a set of COIL+OSCQR standards that have been incorporated into OSCQR. These COIL-centered standards support virtual exchange & intercultural online learning experiences.

"Colleges and universities are seeking new ways to provide students with global competencies that complement traditional forms of physical mobility and academic exchange. Virtual exchange, including one of its most comprehensive forms, collaborative online international learning, is an innovative educational model for meeting this growing need. Using novel teaching approaches that foster online student and faculty collaboration, the VE/COIL approach connects students and classrooms around the world through co-taught multicultural and blended online coursework that bridges physical distance. "(American Association of Colleges and Universities, 2022 - https://www.aacu.org/newsroom/aacu-launches-new-ve-coil-initiative) Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) Virtual Exchange is a unique way of incorporating an international experience into a curriculum as learners engage with peers from another country, culture, and context. Virtual Exchange (VE) collaborations have become a prevalent part of Higher Education’s inclusive, high-impact practices in the U.S., Latin America, and beyond. A set of COIL+OSCQR standards (https://oscqr.suny.edu/coil/coil-standards/) have been designed to supplement and extend the online course quality standards found in the OSCQR rubric (https://oscqr.suny.edu/). These research-based pedagogical approaches and best practices focus on virtual international exchange and the design of intercultural online learning experiences. With the support of a SUNY Innovative Instructional Technology Grant (IITG - https://online.suny.edu/iitg2/current-projects/entry/1074/), together with the SUNY Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL - https://coil.suny.edu/about-suny-coil/) Center and SUNY Online (https://online.suny.edu/onlineteaching), and expertly developed by a team (https://oscqr.suny.edu/coil/) of SUNY instructional designers and researchers, the COIL+OSCQR standards have been incorporated into the OSCQR OLC Scorecard for online course quality (https://onlinelearningconsortium.org/consult/oscqr-course-design-review/). The COIL+OSCQR standards and process provide a systematic and consistent approach to accommodate the complexity of Virtual Exchange (VE) methodologies, varying degrees of partnership commitment, and differing levels of assessment. The COIL+OSCQR standards are designed to help COIL coordinators and practitioners implement online international collaborations that are learner-centered and informed by research, and to facilitate connections between COIL activities and existing campus instructional design expertise and support. The COIL virtual exchange model is a strong and innovative approach that can be leveraged to enhance and extend the academic experiences of learners beyond the classroom. COIL pedagogy calls for collaboration, communication, and teamwork between two or more international instructors within their courses, and between their students. Instructors partner to collaborate on the design of a virtual experience, and the learners across the courses and cultures are partnered to complete the activities designed. The virtual COIL experience becomes part of each instructor’s course, enabling all learners to have a virtual intercultural experience, each within their own course of study. COIL+OSCQR standards have been developed to support the design of effective, high-quality international virtual learning experiences, and to provide a framework of standards for the structural support for instructors and instructional designers interested in Collaborative International Online Learning. This model and the COIL+OSCQR standards support collaboration, intercultural communication, cultural awareness, and teamwork skills through ice-breaking activities, intercultural assignments, and a culminating team project, or presentation. Helping students develop intercultural competencies (skills that facilitate effective and appropriate interactions with people from other cultures) is important in 21st century higher education. VE represents an effective approach to developing these skills through intentional online academic collaboration with peers around the world. Cultural sensitivity, global awareness, and global citizenship are required skills and competencies that also dovetail with the new SUNY General Education Learning Outcomes. The COIL+OSCQR standards also support the SUNY DEI Action Plan (2021 - https://www.suny.edu/media/suny/content-assets/documents/diversity/suny-dei-final-action-plan.pdf) through intercultural collaborations, the integration of relevant world issues into course activities, and using media and language to positively engage faculty and learners by leveraging the power of story as an effective teaching tool. When coupled with the COIL+OSCQR standards, they serve to educate and facilitate positive changes in learning experiences that foster the development of intercultural communications skills and competencies. According to Darla Deardorff, executive director of the Association of International Education Administrators, intercultural competence requires effective and appropriate behaviors in cross-cultural environments. VE provides the opportunity to develop these skills by scaffolding activities and interactions to build awareness about and bridge cross-cultural differences with deeper understanding and appreciation for issues around diversity, equity, and inclusion, and to help make all course participants feel like they belong. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, the population of all minorities in the country has grown since 2010, and the multiracial population in particular has climbed by 276% over the past 10 years. Therefore, under the guidance of José Luis Jiménez, from the Universidad Catolica Andrés Bello in Venezuela, the COIL+OSCQR standards and all associated web materials have also been initially translated into Spanish (https://oscqr.suny.edu/coil-es/estandares-coil/) to provide access to all Spanish language speakers across the US, and world-wide. In addition, to promote equity and multicultural perspectives, translation of the standards and materials into additional languages are also planned (i.e., Arabic, all Romance languages, Dutch, and Russian/Ukrainian–languages spoken in countries that are currently actively involved in COIL activities). In addition, there is national support for the VE/COIL model (https://online.suny.edu/introtocoil/suny-coil-what-is/). The American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) has embraced COIL Virtual Exchange as a pedagogic practice (https://www.aacu.org/newsroom/aacu-launches-new-ve-coil-initiative) and according to AAC&U President Lynn Pasquerella, they are “…committed to ensuring that all students have opportunities to develop the knowledge and skills they need to be informed and responsible global citizens. The VE/COIL model supports that goal by allowing institutions to provide global learning experiences equitably and at scale.” COIL+OSCQR standards offer a comprehensive approach (https://oscqr.suny.edu/coil/how-oscqr-supports-coil/) to the design of engaging, effective, and efficient COIL Virtual Exchange (VE) modules. In conjunction with the OSCQR rubric for online course review and refresh, the COIL+OSCQR standards support high quality online teaching and instructional design in the implementation of a COIL Virtual Exchange module in any course discipline or content. Each COIL+OSCQR standard provides: • A full explanation of the standard. • A list of examples, ideas, and suggestions to improve, or address the standard. • Related research that provides reputable evidence and scholarly support for the standard. • The opportunity to submit examples, evidence, and best practices for consideration to be added to the site. SUNY Online and the SUNY COIL Center are committed to quality and innovation in online education, and to sharing tools, materials, and resources freely and openly for anyone to use/adapt. The OSCQR OLC Scorecard is freely available to all via the Online Learning Consortium (https://onlinelearningconsortium.org/consult/oscqr-course-design-review). The OSCQR rubric and COIL+OSCQR standards (https://oscqr.suny.edu/get-oscqr/) provide a firm foundation for developing effective intercultural collaborations and engaging virtual exchange experiences that are adaptable to various contexts, disciplines, and use cases. Session Objectives: • Understand the COIL+OSCQR Standards: Develop a deep understanding of the COIL+OSCQR standards to enhance virtual international exchanges and intercultural online learning. • Explore Virtual Exchange (VE) Processes: Delve into the COIL VE process supported by the COIL+OSCQR standards, which use evidence-based resources and practices that contribute to effective intercultural learning experiences. • Recognize VE’s Impact: Discuss the significance of VE and its role in supporting Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI), and the development of intercultural communication skills. • Access the COIL+OSCQR Rubric: Prepare to use the openly licensed COIL+OSCQR rubric, designed for wide-ranging adaptability in various contexts. • Leverage Online Resources: Navigate the comprehensive resources provided on the OSCQR website to support your COIL+OSCQR initiatives. In this session, you will: 1. Tour the COIL+OSCQR Standards: Receive a detailed walkthrough of the COIL+OSCQR standards, highlighting their layout and features to bolster COIL VE initiatives. 2. Access Resources and Rubric: Obtain the COIL+OSCQR rubric and become familiar with the resources to facilitate the standards’ implementation (in English and Spanish). 3. Gain Research-Informed Insights: Review research-backed standards and best practices essential for crafting VE activities and honing intercultural competencies. 4. Network with Professionals: Network and engage with experts and peers to discuss, exchange ideas, collaborate, and share best practices in COIL virtual exchange and intercultural learning. This session will provide you with direct access to the COIL+OSCQR standards, information about COIL VE, and associated materials, all of which are openly licensed and free to use or adapt. You will leave the session equipped with the tools and knowledge to explore and implement these standards in your own COIL virtual exchange and intercultural online learning experiences. Links to Resources: – COIL+OSCQR Standards in English - https://oscqr.suny.edu/coil/coil-standards/ – COIL+OSCQR Standards in Spanish - https://oscqr.suny.edu/coil-es/estandares-coil/ – Download the COIL+OSCQR Rubric in English - https://oscqr.suny.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/OSCQR_COIL-version-4.1_en_YX.pdf – Download the COIL-OSCQR Rubric in Spanish - https://oscqr.suny.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/OSCQR_COIL-version-4.1-espanol_YX.pdf