www.cirtl.net welcome to the teaching in the us series american students' expectations session...
TRANSCRIPT
www.cirtl.net
Welcome to the Teaching in the US Series
American Students' Expectations
Session begins at 1PM ET/12PM CT/11AM MT/10AM PT
Please configure your audio by running the Audio Set Up Wizard: Tools>Audio>Audio Set Up Wizard.
Gale Lynch, Director, Global Education & International Services,
Monroe Community College
Tracy Mouser, Career counselor and Job Developer,
Montana State University Billings
American Students’ Expectations of International Teaching Assistants(and ITAs’ responses to American students)
Webinar Learning Objectives
Different cultural backgrounds can create problems in the classroom. ITAs may at times hold incorrect assumptions of American students’ academic and communicative expectations. This session aims to help ITAs to understand American students’ expectations in order to help ITAs improve their teaching and class design.
1) Brief review of culture and cultural values2) Discuss how we approach cultures different than our own3) Apply these concepts to the ITA setting
CULTURE:
A learned meaning system
Consisting of pattern of
SYMBOLS
MEANINGS
NORMS
TRADITIONS
BELIEFS
VALUES
that are passed on from one generation to the
next
& shared by members of a community(cf: Ting Toomey, 2005 Understanding Intercultural Communication)
What are some of your cultures’ values?
Think about them and then share in the chat box at the side of the screen.
General Value Orientationsfour that we will consider
today(taken from Geert Hofstede)
Individualism (“I” identity, privacy, direct, independent)
Power Distance(hierarchy, status, horizontal/vertical )
Uncertainty Avoidance(risk, ambiguity, challenges, routines )
Gender Roles(flexible roles, nurture/achieve, initiative)
How do we approach differing cultural values?
Remembering these general cultural value categories will aid in your approach to understanding American students in the tutoring context.
American Cultural Values (cf: Ting Toomey, 2011 Understanding Intercultural Communication)
Individualism
Act assertively to get what you want
Compete in order to get ahead
Act on your independent thoughts
Be self-reliant and proclaim your personal freedom
Voice personal opinions when everyone else disagrees
Classroom Example:
A student challenges what you say in front of the whole class because she questions the validity or content of your explanation.
How would you approach this?
Approaching the Difference of Individualism in the Classroom
Genuine learning consists of more
than a command of a body of facts.
Learning consists of a deeper understanding of these facts and
an ability to apply what one knows in a variety of situations.
● Students are responsible for their own learning.
● Students are taught and encouraged to be critical thinkers, creative problem solvers and decision makers.
American Cultural Values (cf: Ting Toomey, 2005 Understanding Intercultural Communication)
Small Power Distance
Emphasize equal distance between subordinates and leaders
Credibility is individual
Relationships are informal
Subordinates expect to be consulted
Classroom Example:
A student visiting during office hours addresses you by your first name or sends you emails that open with, “Hey, Yang” rather than “Dear Professor Yang”.
How would you approach this?
Approaching the Difference of Small Power Distance in the Classroom
All people in the class are learners,
including the instructor or professor.
Each one is in the process of discovery where new ideas
can possibly challenge traditional thinking.
● The teacher’s role is to be a facilitator of learning.
● Students are encouraged to ask questions and challenge ideas, even of the teacher.
American Cultural Values (cf: Ting Toomey, 2011 Understanding Intercultural Communication)
WeakUncertainty Avoidance
Encourage risk taking
Uncertainty is welcomed
Challenges are welcomed
Conflict can be positive
High tolerance for ambiguity
Classroom Example:
You’ve noticed that many of your students are disengaged or chatting with each other during your class lectures.
How would you approach this?
Approaching the Difference of Weak Uncertainty Avoidance in the Classroom
Discussion-style classrooms and
study groups tend to be more popular than lecture-style.
Students will contribute to discussions or just listen to what is
being said in order to form their own ideas, processes or opinions.
● Students feel comfortable in less- structured learning situations.
● Students expect to develop innovative approaches to problem solving.
● Students are comfortable with conflict.
American Cultural Values (cf: Ting Toomey, 2011 Understanding Intercultural Communication)
“Feminine” Culture
Flexible gender roles
Emphasize nurturance
Both male and female take initiative
Social adjustment (not academic performance) is critical
Fluid gender communication
Classroom Example:
You are a male TA. A female student asks to meet with you during your office hours in order to discuss her career options in a “traditionally male” career field.
How would you approach this?
Approaching the Difference of “Feminine” Culture in the Classroom
Female and male students expect to
be treated the same and given the same opportunities.
Classrooms should contain care-giving opportunities as well as be a
venue for information-giving.
● Students are no longer viewing “traditionally male” or “traditionally female” fields as out of reach. Whatever a man (or woman) can do they can do.
● A teacher’s role is more than just information-giving; it is also guidance counseling.
Take Away:
It’s all cultural.
How we approach different cultures will affect the results of the interaction, even in the classroom.And remember… the American students are approaching your culture, too.
Webinar Learning Objectives
Different cultural backgrounds can create problems in the classroom. ITAs may at times hold incorrect assumptions of American students’ academic and communicative expectations. This session aims to help ITAs to understand American students’ expectations in order to help ITAs improve their teaching and class design.
1) Brief review of culture and cultural values2) Discuss how we approach cultures different than our own3) Apply these concepts to the ITA setting
www.cirtl.net
UPCOMING EVENTS
To sign up to hear about these and other CIRTL events, email
Developing Effective Communication Skills
October 8th, 2015
12PM ET/11AM CT/10AM MT/9AM PT
Speaker:
Annie Laurie Nichols, Instructor of Record, University of Maryland