The Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU), in partnership with the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities in Asia Pacific (AJCU-AP) network, successfully launched the pilot implementation of the Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) Program for the Academic Year 2024-2025.
Among the COIL pairs, ADDU and Universitas Katolik Widya Mandala (UKWM), Indonesia completed the COIL from 06 September to 18 October 2024. Dr. Renante D. Pilapil, ADDU Philosophy Professor and Dr. Agnes Sumargi, a UKWM Psychology Professor, joined this collaboration.
Following the matching, a series of sessions and meetings were conducted to deliberate on key factors before launching the program, including the scheduling and joint syllabus. The two professors collaborated to co-design an interdisciplinary syllabus, blending their distinct academic backgrounds and disciplines. Centered on the topic, Empowering Play: Foundations of Social Justice in Play Education, they integrated the disciplines of Psychology of Play and Early Childhood Education from UKWM and the Philosophy of Play and Development from ADDU, where students examined the psychological foundation and philosophical principles of play, along with its impact on early childhood development and social justice.
A total of eleven (11) students from both universities participated in this COIL program, meeting once a week on Fridays, and guided by two COIL professors who alternated in facilitating each session. Delving into the integration of philosophy and psychology, the COIL professors led two-hour lectures on assigned topics, with Dr. Pilapil starting the Philosophy discussions for two consecutive sessions, followed by Dr. Sumargi, who led the Psychology discussions for two consecutive sessions. Although when one professor was not delivering the lecture, both professors were present in Zoom, supporting and supervising each other while providing additional insights.
After the lecture, a one-hour collaborative session followed, where students were divided into breakout rooms to discuss what they had learned from the lecture and answer questions provided by the professor. In these breakout rooms, each student shared their insights, and together, they formulated their collective response to the questions. Afterward, one representative from each group would be chosen to report their discussion to the entire class. Following the presentations, students engaged in discussion about each output, guided and supervised by the COIL professors.
After the four weekly lectures given by the COIL professors, the final session was designated as the culmination program. In the weeks leading up to this session, students collaborated outside of the Zoom COIL meetings to create a group output that reinforced everything they had learned throughout the program.
During the culmination, each group presented an overview of play and early childhood education in their respective countries. They also shared personal stories or experiences rooted in their cultural norms, values, or traditions. Following the presentations, students provided constructive feedback, impressions, and insights on the work of other groups, which encouraged critical reflection.
To end, students were given the opportunity to give comments and recommendations on the COIL experience. Many expressed appreciation for the chance to engage in a cross-cultural academic opportunity. Students also gave feedback for future improvements, which the professors carefully noted and valued. The culmination ended with a recognition of the students’ efforts, acknowledging their active participation in every session and the insights they shared throughout the program.
Our COIL professors also share pieces of advice for future COIL Integration.
“Go for it! It’s an enriching and fulfilling experience. It will not only make you a better teacher or professor, but it will also teach you how to collaborate with colleagues from another country. At the same time, you will be challenged to create teaching materials that are accessible to students from different cultural backgrounds.”
“Do it! Have the experience because you never know if you don’t try. This is a great collaboration that is efficient, especially because it doesn’t require additional funding—everything can be done online. As a suggestion, don’t just lecture for three hours straight; make it more interactive.”
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