Preparing for the Exchange: Guidelines and Activities
Students often have their own perceptions (and likely, misconceptions) of people who live in other countries and in other regions of the United States. They may also have their own ideas about how they are perceived by others. By communicating virtually with people who have different cultural backgrounds from their own, students will learn critical skills for succeeding in a globally connected digital world.
The primary goal of global education is to prepare students to be effective and responsible citizens in a global society. Students need to practice real-life skills, gain knowledge of the world, and develop expertise in viewing events and issues from diverse global perspectives. Interacting with people from different cultural backgrounds enables students to develop skills in critical thinking as they come to appreciate how people’s cultural, economic, and political lenses shape their actions and worldviews.
In order for this to be a positive learning experience, the cross-cultural exchange must be carefully structured and facilitated by the teacher.
Guidelines:
Activity Ideas:
- Bafa Bafa, a simulation activity by STS (Simulation Training Systems) that highlights issues around cultural difference, is another popular option.
- Heelotia is a cross-cultural simulation game that was developed specifically for use in upper elementary and secondary school classrooms.
The primary goal of global education is to prepare students to be effective and responsible citizens in a global society. Students need to practice real-life skills, gain knowledge of the world, and develop expertise in viewing events and issues from diverse global perspectives. Interacting with people from different cultural backgrounds enables students to develop skills in critical thinking as they come to appreciate how people’s cultural, economic, and political lenses shape their actions and worldviews.
In order for this to be a positive learning experience, the cross-cultural exchange must be carefully structured and facilitated by the teacher.
Guidelines:
- Discuss skills for interacting and communicating with people of different cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Some possible discussion questions include:
- - Have you ever entered an environment where you weren't aware of someone else's cultural norms (for example, going abroad as an exchange
student or to the house of a friend who comes from another country)? How did you feel? How did you communicate?
- Have you ever had to learn the customs of another culture or society? How did you try to do so?
- When different customs conflict with the way you believe you should act, what do you do?
- Explain the importance of sharing diverse perspectives from different geographic areas and cultures.
- Develop activities that accommodate diverse learners. Consider the multiple intelligences of students, and try to engage various strengths (verbal-linguistic, logical-mathematical, visual, kinesthetic, musical, etc.).
Activity Ideas:
- An important first step in cross-cultural exchange is for students to learn about their own cultural backgrounds and heritage. Guide students in studying their own backgrounds using online sources to conduct research.
- Have students develop multimedia projects on their country’s geography, flag, and cultural traditions.
- Use the example of an iceberg to demonstrate that while only a small part of culture is usually “visible” and readily apparent, there are many “hidden” aspects that are essential to understanding any culture. In fact, the aspects that are “below the surface” (e.g., values, norms, and perspectives) often tend to provide the most meaningful insights. This does not mean that the more obvious aspects (e.g., food, holidays, clothing, etc.) are not relevant, but it is important to dig deeper in order to develop a true intercultural understanding. Activity guidelines that reference the iceberg analogy can be found here.
- Explore diversity at a class or school-wide multicultural fair to help students to better understand their own heritage and develop pride in their roles as cultural representatives.
- A simulation activity can be a great way to introduce students to cross-cultural communication. Good simulations have the capacity to generate very strong thoughts and feelings in their participants, and the teacher should always be prepared for that possibility. A simulation is most successful when participants have had a clear, concise introduction to its framework. Debriefing a simulation is also essential, and teachers should allow ample time for reflection and discussion.
- Bafa Bafa, a simulation activity by STS (Simulation Training Systems) that highlights issues around cultural difference, is another popular option.
- Heelotia is a cross-cultural simulation game that was developed specifically for use in upper elementary and secondary school classrooms.