How to use the Culture Bump™ App:Culture Bumps in Global Classrooms:

Differences and Commonalities•

Overview

• How to use it in a mixed culture classroom

• Follow-up activities

What is a culture bump?

A culture bump is merely a cultural difference….

How to use the app

Step 1. Put students from the same or culturally similar backgrounds together. Have them look at each of the categories and decide if the behaviors are accurate for their country (or region). They can make notes on any changes.

How to use the app

Step 2. Have students sit in culturally diverse groups and share their answers.

How to use the app

Step 3. Still in the diverse groups, have the students describe in detail the behaviors in USA classrooms.

How to use the app

Step 4. As the groups share their answers with one another and with you, you can add the nuances.e.g. Not all professors like students to eat or drink in class. How do they “let” the students know they don’t like it?

How to use the app

Step 5. As the groups share their answers with one another and with you, you can give the students your expectations in your class – and an explanation for why you expect that behavior.

How to use the app

Step 6. Still in culturally diverse groups, have the students describe how they “feel” when they do each of the behaviors back in their home country.

How to use the app

Step 7. Still in culturally diverse groups, have the students interview American-born students about their behavior in the classroom and their feelings about the behavior.

How to use the app

Step 8. Students can use the behaviors to create a “Chart of expected behaviors” to facilitate their own learning in the classroom...

How to use the app

Step 9. Other activities can emerge from the work such as comparison and contrast writing or descriptive writing.

Global Classroom CultureBump™ App

1. Pinpoints a culture bump (a different behavior)2. Describes the behavior in USA3. Describes behavior in another country4. Regarding a universal situation in university

classrooms e.g. coming late to class

Expected behavior that is learned in this context allows…

1. The new behavior to be demonstrated

2. Practiced

3. Learned without damaging self

4. Transferred and adapted to other situations

This is a conversation about life – about living life

• A conversation that can continue for a very long time and one that deepens our human connection…

• Includes cultural information but• Allows for personal and individuality• Includes self-reflection

Share your suggestions for using the app…

• 1. On www.culturebump.com• 2. Follow Carol Archer@culturebump

on twitter