Welcome

Over the next four and a half weeks we will be working with you, a small group of SUNY Nodal Network and Global Partner Network faculty and staff, to enhance our mutual understanding of the international collaborative partnering process.

In the past, most course collaborations developed between early adopter faculty who, on their own initiative, were able to locate a lecturer or professor in another country with whom they could build a co-taught module or course. However, these courses were usually one-off projects which did not lead to other, similar courses being developed at the universities where these pioneers were based. And when these faculty members moved on, or were unable to continue teaching their course, the initiative usually ended.

However, with growing interest in the format of Collaborative Online International Learning, more universities and international programs offices are taking an interest in supporting this approach as a way for their students to gain international understanding and intercultural sensitivity. So over the next weeks we will explore with you some aspects of reaching out to potential partners based at other universities and how to develop a fruitful, lasting partnership. While the actual course development we seek to support will usually be undertaken by teaching faculty, we will consider all stakeholders at the potential partner schools to also be part of the partnering process since the success of COIL initiatives truly depends on institutional teams.

We will not be focusing on actual collaborative course development here as that is the focus of the COIL Center's Academy for Course Development. This "course" is a precursor to that where we will be discussing and engaging the process that precedes actual course development. And we do expect your regular contribution and attendance. Also understand that the aim of this Partnering Orientation is not to find a partner, but rather to learn about the partnering process and partnering sustainability. See the Syllabus/Calendar on the right-hand menu for more information about the course.

In order to make sure we're all on board, please make a comment below letting us know you've been able to access the blog, as I've done below.

Mirjam Hauck for the SUNY COIL Center