“Great Expectations – are you ready?”.

Learning – It’s a cultural thing!

Christine Fountain Principal Lecturer Southampton Solent University.

• This ‘round table discussion’ considers the challenges to the student experience and the pedagogical implications of culturally diverse group work cohorts.

Session Aims• To share the findings from the student activity.• To glean insights from the cultural aspects of their

learning styles/experience.• To consider the multicultural learning experience –

the implications for individual students and group work.

• To explore how we (lecturers) might facilitate a more valuable multicultural group work experience.

ContextWhilst a body of research exists (to emphasise the lecturer/student interaction) in the multicultural teaching environment, less consideration is evident in the interaction within the micro multicultural groups.

What happens in the learning environment where a German, Lithuanian, Nigerian and American come together to work on and produce assessed work in relatively short time scales? Not only do the group grapple with the usual group dynamic challenges (Brown 1997) but also the impact of multicultural learning experiences and expectations and potential stereotypes.

This Welcome Week (induction) activity proved crucial to the success of students. No more so than this year in a group of 10 nationalities. Undertaking the exercise – ‘Learning it’s a Cultural Thing’ - in groups to share their expectation and experience of learning. As poster presentations, the work was presented at the end of the week to lecturers and the faculty Student Support Officer.

The work has recently been presented at the Solent University Teaching and Learning Symposium as both posters and an interactive session to share the findings and the learning outcomes for lecturers in considering the pedagogic implications in such group work cohorts.

The Task• Learning – it’s a cultural thing?

– In your groups use the slide as a catalyst for you discussion. The thoughts on the slide are not exhaustive – simply some thoughts to get you started.

• Discuss approaches to teaching and learning in your culture.• Discuss your impression of other cultures and the impact this might have on our

learning.• Think about the multicultural learning experience for this course – the implications

for individuals, for groups and for lecturers.

– In your group produce a poster (PowerPoint) demonstrating your reflection and learning points from the exercise.

– Use the sessions throughout the week to inform your thinking. Be prepared

to present your poster, your reflection and the insight and learning from the exercise on Friday 30th September. Your presentation should last about 10 minutes.

Learning – it’s a cultural

thing?

Reflect on how you have been taught; Didactic?

Enquiry based?Group work?

Use of metaphors?

Do you ask questions of lecturers? Do you challenge? Are questions encouraged in your learning culture?

Are you used to group work? Do you enjoy group work? Are you

comfortable in group work ? Why? Why not?

Is participation from people at all levels wanted and valued?

Are there stereotypes about your culture or country that might impact on your learning experience?

What is plagiarism to you? How do you reference? How

do you do research?

Lecturers – what is your expectation of them? What ‘position’ do you see lecturers taking?

What should lecturers be aware of? What are the challenges/delights of multicultural groups for lecturers and for learning/teaching?

What responsibilities might you take in a multicultural learning environment?

What do you expect from your peers? Is it reasonable? Why?

What assumptions have you made about other cultures in your group?

In your culture is there respect for seniors? Are seniors accorded more ‘talking time’?

All people are the same ….. It’s only their habits that are so different! Confucius

He who asks is a fool for five minutes, but he who does not ask remains a fool forever. Chinese proverb.

What form does assessment take in your learning

culture?

Multicultural Learning

Denmark Lithuania Romania France UK

Teachers• Open

• Helpful

• Friendly

• Strict

Teaching• Didactic

• Interactive

• Enquiry

• Self study

Assessment• Group work

• Exams

• Essays

• Plagiarism

Attendance

j

Multicultural Learning Experience

ENGLAND EASTERN EUROPE NIGERIA

Teaching and Learning

• Lecturer as “facilitator”• Lecturer is available • Informal student / lecturer relationship• Enquiry based learning• Group work• Diversity of assessments

• Lecturer as “expert”• Clearly defined roles• Formal student / lecturer relationship• Written exams and assessment

• Lecturer as “authority”• Lecturer talks – student listens• Theory based learning• Individual work• Written assessment and exams

Impression • Student-centered• Open and co-operative• Personal / self-directed e.g. opinions matter

• Strict system• Competitive• Disciplined• Focus on achievement

• Competitive• Pressure• Focus on achievement

Impact on learning

• Self management • Responsibility• Team approach• Peer-support

• Respect for lecturer • Time management• Autonomy• Self sufficiency

INDIVIDUAL / GROUP• Culture shock• Experience...Learning...Adaptation…• Empathy and inclusion• Awareness of own / other cultures

LECTURER• Embrace differences positively • Creativity to deliver learning in different

formats• Diversity - higher performance

Image: Renjith Krishnan FreeDigitalPhotos.net

LEARNING - IT’S A CULTURAL THING?

Learning - it´s a cultural thing!?!Approaches to teaching & learning

TEXTBOOKS

use recommended materials;

similar to the UK;

similar to Pakistan;

PLAGIARISM it´s a crime;

REFERENCING it´s similar;

TEACHING STYLE autocratic;

more formal than the UK;

LIBRARY well equipped, but no library culture;

similar to the UK;

depends on financial background.

Impression of other cultures and it’s possible impact on learning

open minded, more culturally aware, sensitive to other cultures & adaptable;

willing to try new things; talk to new people; more appreciation for other ways of life.

Multicultural learning experience for this course, and the implications for:

Individuals - other cultures, languages, traditions, countries, religions, values;

Groups - peoples strengths and weaknesses, how they like work;

Lecturers - speech rate, choose words more carefully, give universal examples, more globally aware, politically correct.

Discussion

• Round table discussion:

– Open discussion of lecturers’ (attendees) experience of multicultural micro group work. The shared experience.

– Open discussion of the insights and observations made by

the students in the context of how this affects the micro group work experience.

Activity

• Consideration of how we (lecturers) might facilitate a more valuable multicultural group work experience.

• Consider how activities such as this might improve/enhance welcome (induction) activities.

Going Forward

• Review welcome week in light of this work – extend/enhance.

• Take recommendations/observations from consultancy project forward.

• Welcome opportunities for collaboration…………..