Selecting the right technology is one of the most important decisions you will make when designing a VE/COIL collaboration. The tools you choose shape how students communicate, share ideas, create joint products, and navigate intercultural teamwork. While many digital platforms can support global collaboration, some tools appear far more frequently across VE/COIL projects worldwide.

The chart below from Rubin & Guth (2022) illustrates the frequency with which educators reported using various platforms in COIL and VE initiatives. Tools like Zoom, WhatsApp, Google Drive, Microsoft Teams, Padlet, and Canvas are among the most commonly used, reflecting their wide availability, familiarity, and flexibility across diverse institutional and international contexts.

This module focuses on the three tools that consistently rank at the top and offer the most robust, reliable functionality for cross-border collaboration:

• Zoom — real-time communication and relationship building
• Google Drive — shared creation, editing, and storage
• Microsoft Teams — integrated communication and collaboration workspace

These three tools are widely accessible, well supported at IU, and adaptable to a variety of VE/COIL project designs, making them excellent starting points for faculty new to VE/COIL as well as experienced collaborators seeking reliable platforms.

As you move through this module, you’ll explore the strengths, limitations, and best-use scenarios for each tool, helping you make informed choices that enhance student engagement, reduce barriers, and support meaningful global learning experiences.