Using Surveys as a Tool for Self-Reflection and Assessing Cultural Understanding
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Transcript of Using Surveys as a Tool for Self-Reflection and Assessing Cultural Understanding
USING SURVEYS AS A TOOL FOR SELF-REFLECTION AND
ASSESSING CULTURAL
UNDERSTANDING
Kristin SassAMLA 612
TEACHING CULTURE – KRAMSCH (1993) Language and culture taught in context Culturally authentic tasks
Elicit authentic responseGet students to communicate effectivelyHelp students understand othersHelp students understand themselves
LEARNING CULTURE – MORAN (2001) Cultural Knowings Framework (p. 18)
Content Activities OutcomesKnowing About
Cultural information
Gathering information
Cultural knowledge
Knowing How
Cultural practices
Developing skills
Cultural behaviors
Knowing Why
Cultural perspectives
Discovering explanations
Cultural understanding
Knowing Oneself
Self Reflection Self-awareness
REFLECTION Overcome culture shock Develop self-awareness (Moran, 2001) “third place” – construct personal
meanings (Kramsch, 1993) Writing – experiencing new thoughts
(Kramsch, 1993) Learner autonomy, metacognition
(Byram 1997)
ASSESSING CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING – BYRAM (1997) Key factors in Intercultural
CommunicationKnowledgeSkillsAttitudesCritical Cultural Awareness
Purpose of Assessment Improve InstructionAccountabilityLearning Opportunity
CHALLENGES IN ACHIEVING CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING Personality Traits (Peterson, 2004)
Open-mindednessFlexibility with attitudes and behaviorAbility to adaptWillingness to change
Cognitive and Affective Development (Byram 1997)
WEEKEND AT WALDSEE 4 days, 20 students Cultural Immersion Theme: Wissenschaft und Energie
(Science and Energy
PRE- AND POST-SURVEYS Based on Byram’s key factors in ICC
Knowledge – Rank knowledge of:SkillsAttitudesCritical Cultural Awareness
RESULTSPre-Survey Mean Post-Survey
MeanListening 7.00 8.17Speaking 6.85 7.33Reading 6.00 7.33Writing 6.10 7.22Cultural Knowledge
6.05 7.00
RESULTS, CONT. Pre-survey
Culture – What comes to mind? 8 Oktoberfest, 7
Food, 5 Beer, Frau, dresses, old houses, music, singing, dancing, Nazis, war
Post-surveyCulture – What
comes to mind? 6 Oktoberfest, 10
Food, 1 Beer, 6 singing, 6 dancing, 5 soccer, 3 friendly people, 2 family, 2 frisbee, 2 language, houses, religions, war, diverse culture
THIS TRIP HAS INCREASED MY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF GERMAN CULTURE Strongly Agree – 29% Agree – 41% Neither Agree nor Disagree – 29%
“I leanred of some of the stuff they do in there free time also most of the dishes they eat for breakfast, lunch, dinnner! Some of the candy they eat! Learing more avout building. Learing kinda about the euros . Learing more about how to ask for things and learned more how you say things in german!”
“We did alot of Germand activities that reflected their culture”
“We really didn't get to learn about the culture, I mean we did but we didn't.”
THIS TRIP HAS INFLUENCED HOW I VIEW MY OWN CULTURE Strongly Agree – 12% Agree – 65% Neither Agree nor Disagree – 24%
“i feel that we need to sing more and eat better and healthier foods. instead of eating chips we should be eating apples and bread. das ist eine gut idea”
“Seeing how Germans are, I see how we live is much different then how they live.”
“I dont really understand this question but it makes me more aware of the difference of the culture”
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS “I had soo much fun at German camp! Eddy was
amazing! If i could live those 3 days over again I would! I had alot of fun singing and dancing to all the songs and the store was really cool. The rooms where really cool to and the whole camp just felt like I was actually in Germany. It was fun to go to breakfast, lunch, and dinner and be able to see little skits that other campers put on. I also enjoyed when Eddy had the disko ball and he accidentally hit himself in the face. The Eco House was really cool. It was cool how they had a window on the ceiling of the teachers floor where students could look down and see them. I hope to go back there again.”
“CONCORDIA LANGUAGE VILLAGE IS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
CONCLUSIONS Most students did increase their cultural
understanding from this weekend Personality traits as well as cognitive
and affective development do play a role
The surveys allowed them to reflect and create knowledge and connections they might not otherwise have made
In the future I will better prepare them on exactly what culture is – some were confused