Creating new international learning opportunities in Business and Law

How do you provide international learning experiences for students when travel is off the cards? Online collaborations are the answer, and Deakin’s Business and Law academics have been working with international colleagues to create new opportunities.

International experiences are powerful way to enrich the learning students take from their degrees and a valuable preparation for careers in a globalised economy.

Overseas travel, though, can be a barrier for students, so experiences such as study tours, study abroad and exchange are not always accessible or suitable.

Factor in interruptions to travel, such as were caused by COVID, and there is a clear need for additional ways to provide international learning.

That’s where COIL comes in. COIL or Collaborative Online International Learning creates opportunities for international and intercultural experiences without demanding the commitment and resources of in-person travel.

An emerging mode of learning, COIL is a focus for scholars worldwide, who are working to create vibrant programs and increase the options available.

The work requires developing the pedagogy that will create successful programs, along with links and partnerships that will make online international experiences both readily available and effective.

As part of this worldwide effort, the Faculty of Business and Law was proud to host a three-day symposium in October, dedicated to knowledge sharing and building our COIL capabilities.

Opening with an inspiring speech by Deakin Deputy Vice CA Prof Liz Johnson, the symposium was facilitated by Fulbright scholar Professor Carol Cirulli Lanham from the University of Texas at Dallas, a strategic international academic partner of the faculty of Business and Law.

Professor Liz Johnston, Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic, Deakin University — Professor Liz Johnston, Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic opens the symposium

Fulbright scholar Professor Carol Cirulli Lanham, University of Texas at Dallas — Professor Carol Cirulli Lanham facilitated the symposium.

Fifty Business and Law academic staff participated in workshops gaining insight into the full COIL life cycle of program design and implementation.

The symposium was also attended by representatives from seven of the faculty’s international strategic partners, from the UK, USA, France, China, Sweden and India. Their participation in workshop discussions led to a range of new program ideas and opportunities.

Virtual guest speakers, Veronica Onorevole from the American Association of Colleges & Universities and Dr Keiko IKEDA, Vice-Director, Institute for Innovative Global Education (IIGE) at Kansai University, Japan shared valuable global experience and insight.

Deakin academics, Associate Professor Alfred Presbitero and Dr Wade Halvorson, showcased the faculty’s own COIL programs developed in collaboration with ESSCA Management School and UT Dallas.

Associate Professor Alfred Presbitero, Deakin Business School — Associate Professor Alfred Presbitero led a COIL experience in his postgraduate International Business Management unit.

Dr Wade Halvorson, Deakin Business School — Dr Wade Halvorson presents on his experience developing an entrepreneurship-focused COIL unit.

Case study sessions on the final day, saw the participants working in groups to go through practical scenarios that might arise in COIL programs and how to identify the tools available to address technical challenges.

The symposium elicited enthusiastic feedback from both Business and Law and international participants. Their passion for COIL will play a vital role in internationalising our curriculum, teaching and learning activities. The vibrant and productive discussions across these three days have built a strong foundation for future developments.