1. Improving the Effectiveness of Learning in Joint Program---from the Cultural Perspective 周洁 Zhou Jie

2. Who are we? Liaoning University China Victoria University Australia Asia-Australia Business College

3. Asia-Australia Business College 辽宁大学亚澳商学院  It was established in 1999 成立于 1999 年.  It offers 3 degree courses 开设 3 个专业 : International Trade & Business International Trade & Business ( 国际贸易与商务） ( 国际贸易与商务） Accounting( 会计学） Accounting( 会计学） Finance( 金融学） Finance( 金融学）

4. Learning Issues Identified in Joint Program  Language Difficulties  Course Structure Differences  Cultural Differences

5. Course Structure Differences  Different Educational System  Progressive Learning  Assessment Difference

6. What are the Solutions?  Orientation on different levels  Hearing and Enrollment Consultancy  Subject guide and teachers ’ professional development

7. Cultural Differences  Learning methods  Teaching methods  Values & customs

8. Analysis of the Differences  Collectivism  High Power-Distance  Low Uncertainty Avoidance Avoidance  Long-term orientation  Individualism  Low Power- Distance  High Uncertainty Avoidance  Short-term orientation

9. Collectivism vs. Individualism  Collectivism requires self-sacrifice, the subordination of one's interests to those of others.  The foundation of individualism lies in one's moral right to pursue one's own happiness. This pursuit requires a large amount of independence, initiative, and self- responsibility.  Example of students ’ class behavior

10. High power distance vs. low power distance  High Power Distance: Strong sense of hierarchy, e.g., caste system  - Low Power Distance: Weak sense of hierarchy, e.g., co-op

11. Uncertainty Avoidance  “The degree to which members of a culture feel threatened by ambiguous situations and how much they try to avoid them.”  Low Uncertainty Avoidance:  Tolerates or values nonconformity  High Uncertainty Avoidance:  Threatened by ambiguous situations/nonconformity  Values security  Clearly defined rules and regulations

12. Long-term orientation vs. Short- term orientation

13. How to overcome the differences?  Mutual understanding  Effective communication  Trust

14. Social Recognition of AABC  “ AAA ” excellent Educational Joint Program of Liaoning Province in 2000  Provincial Advanced Joint program in 2002  “ Key Experiment Base ” on the Research of Sino-Foreign Educational Joint Project by Ministry of Education