How to develop and deliver a virtual exchange based on Collaborative Online International Learning principles (COIL)

Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) is a pedagogical approach to virtual exchanges that emphasises experiential and collaborative learning activities. The key aim of COIL virtual exchanges is to encourage students to develop intercultural competence—that is, the ability to communicate and cooperate with people from different backgrounds. Intercultural competence is a particularly important skill for doctors and other health workers, who will spend much of their working lives interacting with patients and colleagues who have been shaped by different values, beliefs and experiences. Many nonmedical education studies demonstrate that COIL virtual exchanges have a positive impact on students' intercultural competence. Recently, a couple of studies have shown that this is also true for medical students. Despite this, COIL virtual exchanges are not widely utilised in medical education. This paper outlines some of the key steps clinical teachers must take when designing and delivering a virtual exchange based on COIL principles. It is grounded in the literature on COIL virtual exchanges, as well as our experience of designing, delivering and evaluating a COIL virtual exchange involving medical students in the United Kingdom and pre-med students in the United States. The paper provides practical guidance covering: finding an exchange partner; choosing a focus for your exchange; and designing an exchange that creates a space for students to work together and foster creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.