Pedagogical Dimensions and Intercultural Learning Outcomes of COIL: A Review of Studies Published Between 2013–2022

This systematic review examines pedagogical barriers and facilitators for intercultural learning in Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL)/International Virtual Exchange (VE) projects, as well as their related outcomes. The review analyzed 56 studies published between 2010–2022 in the databases ERIC, PsychInfo, Scopus, and Web of Science. Following the TPACK model as an analytical framework, findings suggest that COILs can have a positive impact on intercultural learning when different barriers and facilitators related to pedagogical knowledge, pedagogical content knowledge, and technological pedagogical knowledge are effectively addressed throughout the preparation, execution, and evaluation stages of COILs. Overall, the majority of outcomes for intercultural learning were positive (61.8%), but also zero results (23.6%) and negative findings (14.5%) have been reported for the affective, behavioral, and cognitive domain. The review offers pedagogical recommendations for intercultural learning with COILs, along with a discussion of strengths and limitations of the current knowledge base.