“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.

Context Whilst 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 30 th 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 RomaniaFrance UK Teachers Open Helpful Friendly Strict Teaching Didactic Interactive Enquiry Self study Assessment Group work Exams Essays Plagiarism Attendance

j Multicultural Learning Experience ENGLANDEASTERN EUROPENIGERIA 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; PLAGIARISMit´s a crime; REFERENCINGit´s similar; TEACHING STYLEautocratic; more formal than the UK; LIBRARYwell 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…………..