The World Café: Exploring different ways of listening Toni Karic & Emee Vida Estacio

1. The World Café: Exploring different ways of listening Toni Karic & Emee Vida Estacio Background As the number of international students within UK higher education grows it has become increasingly important to consider the ways in which such trends impact upon the teaching and learning environment. Commonly, surveys and focus group discussions are used to generate data concerning people’s beliefs, attitudes and opinions about specific areas of interest. However, such methods limit participant engagement and the depth of insight which can be gained. This study utilised an innovative approach called the World Café which engages students and staff in the discussion of meaning, issues and recommendations to promote internationalisation in higher education. Aims 1) To explore the understanding of internationalisation among students and staff at Keele 2) To raise critical awareness of internationalisation issues and examples of good practice 3) To generate ideas on how to improve internationalisation on campus 4) To facilitate active engagement to promote the internationalisation of teaching and learning Event promotion Prior to the event the World Café was widely publicised using different materials in different languages including Mandarin, Spanish and Greek in the form of Create hospitable space The World Café is a creative and interactive approach which provides a relaxed and hospitable environment for the exchange and generation of ideas and opinions (Brown & Isaacs, 2001). Refreshments and background music shown alongside images from around the world created ambience and fostered a relaxed atmosphere. promotional e-mails, flyers and posters. Source: www. theworldcafe. com Set the context Generate insights The café provided participants with a set of four tables they could join. Each table discussed a different topic relating to internationalisation: Insights were gathered is several different ways: Discussions: student volunteers facilitated discussions at thetables Table cloths: participants were encouraged to note down their opinions, ideas Table 1: Meaning - ‘what Internationalization means to you?’ Table 2: Issues - ‘issues related with internationalisation’ Table 3: Solutions - ‘solutions and ideas to promote internationalisation’ Table 4: Open - This table was where participants could come to talk about all things relating to internationalisation. and record main points and topics of conversation on table cloths Discussion ‘menus’ were provided, these provided participants with information about the discussion topic at their table and provided key questions to aid conversation . ‘Freedom Wall’: where comments, suggestions and opinions were posted They also gave participants information about the discussion topics occurring on other tables should they with to move about the room and join another discussion Discussion Unlike other methods, the World Café’s informal environment widens the reach of community engagement. Indeed, our project saw a varied mix of staff and students, both home and international attend the event. This made it possible to gain a diverse collection of insights into the way in which integration was an issue during classes for students both home and international as well as staff. The hospitable environment meant that international and home participants were able to comfortable interact which demonstrated the way in which both home and international students felt the other presented a barrier which made integrating problematic. The in-depth participant involvement which characterises the world café method stimulated innovative thinking consequently, participants raised awareness of issues and current initiatives. For instance, participants were able to share experiences that highlighted way in which lecturers can play a key role in the integration process particularly during seminars. Overall, the World Café method proved to be an effective way of listening and generating unfamiliar perspectives. References: Brown, J. & Isaacs, D. (2005). The World Café: Shaping Our Futures Through Conversations that Matter. CA: Berrett Koehler. www.theworldcafe.com For more information please e-mail: toni77k@hotmail.com