Empowering Global Learning: Exploring the Role of Generative AI in Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL)

As universities worldwide seek innovative ways to foster internationalization, Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) has emerged as a powerful pedagogical approach. Dr. Fridolin Ting, Senior Lecturer at The Education University of Hong Kong, explored this topic in his seminar titled Empowering Global Learning: Exploring the Role of Generative AI in Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL).

In the seminar, Dr. Fridolin Ting highlighted how generative AI tools like YoChatGPT! can address the following COIL challenges:

• Engagement gaps: how to maintain active participation across time zones?

• Language barriers: how to ensure inclusive and clear communication?

• “Opaque” collaboration: how to track collaboration processes, not just outcomes?

• Scalability: how to expand access without sacrificing depth or instructor workload?

To further address those challenges, he also shared some practical strategies, such as:

• AI-moderated fishbowl discussions to reveal cultural assumptions.

• Co-authoring global case studies with AI synthesizing diverse perspectives.

• RAG-powered debates grounded in culturally relevant materials.

• Multimodal tools to overcome language barriers.

Dr. Fridolin Ting’s insights not only provided a roadmap for implementing AI in COIL but also underscored its potential to redefine internationalization in higher education—equipping educators with tools to bridge cultures and inspire innovation in the classroom.