UWTSD Strengthens Global Links Through International COIL Collaboration with Durham College, Canada
The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) has successfully delivered an innovative Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) initiative with Durham College, offering Early Childhood Education students a valuable international learning experience without the need for travel. The project brought together UWTSD students, led by lecturer Glenda Tinney, with peers from Durham College in Canada, taught by Corrine McCormick-Brighton, enabling both groups to explore early years education and care across Wales and Canada through virtual collaboration.
The initiative marks an important step in developing international partnerships for UWTSD while enhancing the student experience through global engagement. Using live online discussions and digital platforms such as Padlet and Microsoft Teams, students exchanged ideas, reflected on practice, and explored themes including multilingualism, outdoor learning, and early years pedagogy.
Corrine McCormick-Brighton highlighted the significance of the opportunity for her students, emphasising the value of learning directly from peers in another country:
“Through the COIL experience as an Early Childhood Education professor, my Year Two ECE students at Durham College had the opportunity to collaborate with university students from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David and learn about early childhood education from their perspective. Using the Padlet board and Microsoft Teams collaborative communication platforms, we shared resources, teaching ideas, and discussed how classrooms and learning experiences for young children can be both different and similar between countries. This experience aimed to strengthen communication and collaboration skills while increasing cultural awareness.”
She added that the project reinforced the value of international collaboration in enriching teaching practice and supporting inclusive approaches in early childhood education.
Glenda Tinney also emphasised the benefits for UWTSD students:
“This was a wonderful project. Discussions provided examples of supporting multilingualism and minority languages, and it was great for our students to learn how Canada compares with Wales in supporting different languages in early childhood. We also explored play and outdoor learning as central to both our education philosophies. The opportunity to share ideas was invaluable, particularly for students who may not be able to travel internationally. COIL offered a meaningful way to build global connections and gain international insights.”
The collaboration created a dynamic space for reflection, an essential component of early childhood education, allowing students to consider similarities and differences in policy and practice across the two nations. It also provided an opportunity to explore shared challenges within the early years sector, including workforce wellbeing and the development of high‑quality learning environments.
UWTSD students responded positively to the experience, valuing the opportunity to engage with peers internationally and broaden their perspectives.
Tamlyn Ogilvy, a student on the Early Years Education and Care: Early Years Practitioner Status course, said:
“I really enjoyed the international approach of the COIL session and the opportunity to connect with students in Canada who are studying a similar course. I particularly liked the concept of sharing experiences and insights about what is happening in each country and seeing what is done similarly. I also enjoyed that there were moments to ask questions throughout the session.”
Feedback from Durham College students further reinforced the success of the collaboration. Etney, an Early Childhood Education student, said:
“I found the COIL opportunity very interesting and helpful. I appreciated learning about both the differences and similarities in their practices compared to ours. While there are distinct approaches, it was meaningful to see that they share the same commitment to caring for and prioritising children. I also found it valuable that they emphasised the importance of early childhood educators taking care of themselves to provide the best possible care and teaching.”
The COIL initiative demonstrates UWTSD’s ongoing commitment to providing inclusive, globally connected learning opportunities. By removing barriers to international engagement, the project has enabled students to develop cultural awareness, communication skills, and a broader understanding of early childhood education in a global context.
UWTSD looks forward to building on this successful pilot and developing a long-term partnership with Durham College, creating further opportunities for students and staff to collaborate internationally. Kath Griffiths, International Mobility Lead at UWTSD, said:
“We are delighted to see this project come to life following our initial meeting with colleagues from Durham College at the European Association for International Education conference. What began as a shared conversation about widening access to global learning has developed into a meaningful collaboration that directly benefits our students. This initiative provides early childhood studies students with valuable international experience without the need to travel, broadening their perspectives and enhancing their understanding of early years practice worldwide.”
References:
Guth, S., & Rubin, J. (2015). How to get started with COIL. In A. S. Moore & S. Simon (Eds.), Globally networked teaching in the humanities (pp. 40–57). New York: Routledge.
Further Information
Lowri Thomas
Principal Communications and PR Officer
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: lowri.thomas@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone: 07449 998476