Intercultural Teaching and Learning in a PBL Environment Lars Peter Jensen, Xiangyun Du

Overview Culture Intercultural issues at international programs Reflection and discussions

Meeting cultures – Cultural shock what are the challenges entering a new culture?

Coming to DK – Sweden to learn innovative ways… I don’t understand the lecturer What on earth the supervisor wanted me to do? Coming to DK – Sweden to learn innovative ways… 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 Not for you maybe but it was for my parents!!!!!

East vs. West - Cultural Differences comparison 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

ME

WAYS OF LIFE

PARTY

TRENDS

STREET AT WEEKEND

SHOWER TIME

QUEUING

What are the most surprising experiences you have had with in an intercultural context? (Jensen 2005:72) You are so big. You can not stay here! Come back when you become smaller!

Intercultural competencies for future engineers Globalized context Interdisciplinary knowledge Lifelong learning Effective communication Analytical skills Designing and conducting experiments Application of mathematics and science knowledge Diverse capabilities Intercultural competencies Team work Identity and solve applied science problems Project management Social, environmental, and ethical concerns 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/  

Engineering programs are no longer just dominated by native young men. Increase of diversity Engineering programs are no longer just dominated by native young men.

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

Challenges and identified problems 1 Miscommunication arises due to Use of second language (English) as a means of communication Learning and working styles Personality

Challenges and identified problems 2 Different beliefs on/ways of learning – different expectations Knowledge Answers Opinions? Educational background

Nobody knows the exact answers until the project is finished Challenges and identified problems 2 Different 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

Challenges and identified problems 3 Can group work be an efficient way of learning? Will they believe me because I am a girl?? NO, I can’t get up anyway YES, we can meet at 8 tomorrow morning It is my turn to talk? If we don’t follow the supervisor’s suggestion, will he allow us to pass? Listen to me, I am very experienced He complains of my garlic, but he has coffee and carrots all the time!!! They don’t understand even such easy things!!

Student’s reflection `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)

Is ethnicity the only reason that Muslim Is ethnicity the only reason that makes us different? Young girl Philosopher Animal doctor butcher farmer artist wolf

Engineering culture – engineer study

Engineering culture – engineer study

Is culture something we are born with? (Jensen 2005:18) ’I got culture from mom’s breast breeding’ Is culture something we are born with?

PBL in International programs, AAU, Denmark Cultural reflections PBL in International programs, AAU, Denmark Different backgrounds in educational culture Doing PBL in ‘the right’ way! 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 A new culture to be established