Michael BARR    Department   Kyoto Junior College of Foreign Languages  , Department of English Studies for Careers    Position   Associate Professor
Date	2023/08/18
Presentation Theme	Designing Collaborative Learning Environments: Lingua Franca COIL Projects Across Borders
Conference	EUROCALL 2023: CALL for all languages
Promoters	EUROCALL and the University of Iceland
Conference Type	International
Presentation Type	Poster
Contribution Type	Individual
Country	Iceland
Venue	Reykjavik, Iceland. The University of Iceland
Holding period	2023/08/15～2023/08/18
Publisher and common publisher	Michael Barr
Details	The advancement of technology and the increasing use of online learning platforms have revolutionized the way students access education, particularly in the Asia Pacific region. With the rise of computer literacy and technological tools, students are now able to learn from anywhere and at any time, providing them with unparalleled opportunities for personal growth, improved skills with shared platforms, and academic advancement. In response to this trend, institutions, educators, and language departments are adopting new and innovative approaches to teaching, including the use of learning management systems, asynchronous content, and cross-platform learning experiences. In the poster presentation "Designing Collaborative Learning Environments: Lingua Franca COIL Projects Across Borders" we will focus on facets of COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) projects and the design of learning experiences. The use of English as a Lingua Franca (ELF) is a significant aspect of the COIL projects carried out by Kyoto University of Foreign Studies, as students from different countries are able to communicate and collaborate with each other using their common language. Through the coordination of participating professors, inter-institutional projects between student groups from Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Thailand have been developed, providing valuable insights into the design of cross-platform experiences for ELF students. There are key theoretical and practical considerations to consider when designing COIL projects, including scheduling, assessment, cultural factors, and learning outcomes. When considering the best approach to collaborative work, linguistic pragmatics must be taken into account, as different cultures have inherently varied approaches to interpersonal communication. For students aiming to become global citizens, these interactions are invaluable towards their development. The design and development of COIL projects at Kyoto University of Foreign Studies should be of great interest to professors hoping to globalize their curricula. *NOTE: Winner of the "Best Poster" Prize.*