Lars Peter Jensen Associated Professor at Aalborg University Department of Control Engineering
Intercultural Teaching and Learning in a PBL Environment Lars Peter Jensen , Xiangyun Du
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Transcript of Intercultural Teaching and Learning in a PBL Environment Lars Peter Jensen , Xiangyun Du
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Intercultural Teaching and Learning
in a PBL EnvironmentLars Peter Jensen, Xiangyun Du
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Overview
Culture Intercultural issues at international
programs Reflection and discussions
Meeting cultures – Cultural shockwhat are the challenges entering a new
culture?
Coming to DK – Sweden to learn
innovative ways…
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I don’t
understand
the lecturer
What on earththe supervisor wanted
me to do?
So difficult to do a project in group work!
I am Depressed!
Things that have been taken for granted in one culture might be unknown in
another• Parents
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East vs. West - Cultural Differencescomparison of Western and Asian culture in the eyes of a
Chinese raised in Germany.
http://www.socialhallucinations.com/2008/11/east-vs-west---cultural-differences-in-pictures.html
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STREET AT WEEKEND
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SHOWER TIME
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QUEUING
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You are so big. You can not stay here! Come back when you become smaller!
What are the most surprising experiences you have had with in an intercultural context?
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Globalized contextIntercultural competencies for future engineers
Diverse capabilities
Lifelong learning
Project management
Social, environmental, and
ethical concerns
Effective communication
Designing and conducting
experiments
- National Academy of Engineering, The Engineer of 2020, 2004- EUR-ACE (Accreditation of European Engineering Programmes and
Graduates, http://www.feani.org/EUR_ACE/EUR_ACE_Main_Page.htm - ABET: http://www.abet.org/
Identity and solve applied science
problems
Team work
Application of mathematics and
science knowledge
Analytical skills
Interdisciplinary knowledge
Intercultural competencies
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Engineering programs are no longer just dominated by native young men.
Increase of diversity
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Potential advantages from international programs at AAU
• New experiences and eye-opener• Development of process competencies• Development of intercultural competencies• Prepare to become a global professional
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Challenges and identified problems 1
• Miscommunication arises due to
– Use of second language (English) as a means of communication
– Learning and working styles – Personality
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Challenges and identified problems 2Different beliefs on/ways of learning
– different expectations
Opinions?
Educational background
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Challenges and identified problems 2Different beliefs on/ ways of learning
Nobody knows the exact answers until the project is finished
Students are responsible for managing their own learning
Learners are creating new knowledge
Studying in a PBL environment, Denmark
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Challenges and identified problems 3Can group work be an efficient way of learning?
YES, we can meet at 8 tomorrow
morning
NO, I can’t get up anyway
Will they believe me
because I am a girl??
Listen to me, I am very
experienced
If we don’t follow the
supervisor’s suggestion, will he allow us to pass?
They don’t understand even
such easy things!!
It is my turn to talk?
He complains of my garlic, but he has coffee and carrots all the
time!!!
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`I have never worked in a group in my educational life… In group work, I preferred to listen when some students discussed intensely, because I could not understand why it was a question to discuss. Sometimes I could not follow their ideas or thinking. I need to change and actively work in the group.´ (Chinese female master student)
Student’s reflection
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Is ethnicity the only reason thatmakes us different?
Muslim
Philosopher
Animaldoctor
Young girl
butcher
artistwolf
farmer
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Engineering culture – engineer study
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Engineering culture – engineer study
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Is culture something
we are born with?
(Jensen 2005:18)
’I got culture from mom’s breast breeding’
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PBL in International programs, AAU, DenmarkDifferent backgrounds in educational culture
Cultural reflections
Doing PBL in ‘the right’ way!
A new culture to be established
Root of PBL in DK- Tradition of group work in Denmark - Critical thinking - Emphasis on - Collaboration and participation - Lower power gap - Close link between industry and university