The course I am going
to teach next semester is called ‘Communicating across cultures’ with the
target audience of the fourth year International Economics majors. The course
is absolutely new and the head of my department gave me privilege to structure
the course the way I see it. I am very grateful for her confidence in me and I am
full of expectations to implement the new methods and techniques I have been
discovering since the end of June.
Following the general plan
of the manual (Communicating Across Cultures
by Bob Dignen, CUP, 2011), I will make a ‘technological framework’ to supplement
the contents of the book. Two main goals I want to achieve are (1) to raise
students’ motivation and (2) to introduce concepts of effective time management
both for teachers and students.
There are two
functional aspects that will cover the whole course. First, it is alternative
assessment. I will have rubrics for every oral and written task and –
optionally – I will have peer assessment. Rubrics clarify the teacher’s expectations
and clearly explain how every part of the task is graded. Peer assessment
activates students’ attention and responsibility. Second, it is blogging. Students
will be asked to create their personal blogs to post their works there, comment
on other students’ messages, and share external links and tools they find
helpful. The course information will be consolidated in the class blog.
Every week the
students will have a technology-enhanced task devoted to different skills:
speaking, listening, presenting, critical thinking, etc. The tech tools are:
VoiceThread A tool that can be used to
communicate a message using voice, video, and text. Topics: Becoming a better listener. Managing conflicts:
(1) Ways to avoid potential conflicts. (2) Strategies to manage conflict
situations.
Present.me An easy-to-use tool that allows to
upload files and record voice messages. Topic: Differences in communication style across cultures.
Podomatic A tool to create podcasts and share them
online. Topic: Dealing with difficult
communicators.
Voxopop A voice-based e-learning tool that helps to develop speaking skills.
Topic: What is the connection between
cultural diversity and creativity?
Glogster A web platform that is used to create
interactive posters loaded with text, graphics, music, videos, and more.
Topics: Personal development plan to improve
communication skills (conclusions on Webquest 2.) Negotiating across cultures: (1) The challenges of negotiating across cultures. (2) Language of
influencing.
Prezi An online presentation tool. Topics:
Presenting across cultures (final
classroom Webquest 1 presentation.) Dwell
upon a quote on culture / business / communication (the list of quotes to
be provided) (final assessment classroom presentation.)
Zunal An online webquest maker. Topics: Presenting across cultures. Profiling your
intercultural competence.
The fifteen weeks of
the course under consideration will be accompanied by Nicenet discussions and
weekly blog posts. The variety of activities will supposedly light up the
students’ enthusiasm. Besides, as a large part of assignment will be allotted
to homework, it will help them manage their work load according to their time preferences.
A lot of work is to be
done before the course starts and I am still looking for details. However, I have
great expectations connected with it!
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