Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. President | St. John's University website
Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. President | St. John's University website
St. John's University in New York City and Durban University of Technology (DUT) in South Africa have embarked on a collaborative educational project focused on climate change. The initiative, known as the Global Online Learning Exchange (GOLE), also referred to as Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), took place in the fall of 2024. It involved students from both universities engaging in a five-week online program.
The program included approximately 12 nonscience majors from St. John's University and 16 medical technology students from DUT. The interaction between the two groups occurred both synchronously and asynchronously, with English being the primary language for communication at DUT.
Prior to the exchange, students from St. John's were asked to consider their assumptions about their counterparts in South Africa, including aspects such as daily life, food, music, and recreation. An initial synchronous icebreaker session allowed students to discuss the ethnicity and meaning behind their first names.
Throughout the project, students were tasked with developing survey questions based on one of three United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: SDG-3 Good Health and Well-being, SDG-6 Clean Water and Sanitation, or SDG-13 Climate Action. They conducted formal literature reviews, developed data collection plans, and compared data between the two nations.
Students utilized tools like Google Docs and WhatsApp for collaboration and conducted interviews with family and community members to gather qualitative data on lived experiences related to climate change issues. The project concluded with a synchronous meeting where students presented their findings using PowerPoint slides.
The GOLE/COIL project aimed to foster understanding and empathy among participants while equipping them with skills necessary to address global challenges like climate change. "Climate change is a global crisis demanding global solutions," emphasized organizers of the program.
One student reflected on their experience by stating: “In my group, we focused on how extreme heat is increasing the spread of infectious diseases... Discussing these impacts with my group from South Africa made me see the urgency of addressing climate change.”
Through this international partnership, participants gained knowledge that transcended classroom learning by linking it directly to real-world issues. This initiative hopes to empower students as agents of change capable of working effectively in diverse teams toward sustainable solutions.
Alerts Sign-up