4TU.CEE workshops on cultural diversity
Internationalisation and cross cultural communication skills are essential for all 4TU engineering students, due to the international student population and international setting they will work in. A workshop on cultural diversity was organised in November by WUR for educational advisors of University of Twente on how to create an intercultural interdisciplinary learning environment. The workshop was very interactive and participants were able to work together and exchange experiences. The project is part of joint UT and WUR actions on this topic and more workshops are coming up soon. ‘Diversity promotes cultural awareness and contributes to this innovative approach to teaching,’ says drs. Marijke van Oppen, educational consultant and intercultural trainer at WUR.
Enriching and challenging
As being an educational consultant/trainer in Higher Education myself, I experienced that educational trainers and advisors are confronted with a lot of examples in which cultural and other diversities play a role. Diversity is enriching and fruitful, however sometimes it is challenging for advisors as well as lecturers and for students too. Questions like: ‘what is most important in an intercultural interdisciplinary learning environment and how to adapt to this demanding development’ were discussed in the workshop.
Study groups
Research has shown that international students do not always flourish when it comes to working in study groups. Language often forms a barrier, as does the difference in scientific and educational backgrounds of these students. Study groups may even hinder international students from reaching their full potential and could therefore have a negative effect on the quality of the final group project or presentation. This in turn may make native students less willing to work together with their international classmates. It makes them less inclined to embrace internationalisation and in perceiving international cooperation as an enrichment.
Inclusive learning environment
Being aware of cultural diversity and enabling teachers to create an inclusive learning environment was one of the topics of this workshop. Other topics that have been discussed are: cultural competence development, decoding and practising indirect communication, conflicting values in education, language barriers and risk factors in classrooms such as feedback, speaking up, learning styles and communication styles.
Practice
A case study was part of the workshop. Participants delved deeper into the topic and had the opportunity to practice in advising a lecturer who ran into diversity issues. Video examples of students dealing with cultural diversity were also shown. The video material used in trainings has been especially filmed for this purpose and is both authentic and practical.
New training opportunities
Are you interested in following a workshop on cultural diversity? New training opportunities are coming up. Workshops are open to lecturers, education advisors and student counsellors of 4TU. Check our 4TU.CEE website or the flyer for more information on specific themes, dates and locations.