Teaching Across Cultures

1. Teaching Across Cultures Creating an Inclusive & Productive Classroom Alexis G. Finger < fingerag@1drexel.edu>

2. Understanding the Differences Lecturing vs. Everything else Not Accustomed to: • Asking & Answering Questions • Learning by doing • Group Work • Giving Opinions • Office Hours

3. Our Goals • Create rapport: get to know students and make them feel welcome. • Help students adapt to their new learning environment.

4. The First Day • Review Syllabus: Policies and Rationale. • Promote Student-Centered/Interactive Classroom Student Participation. • Describe class activities: student participation, pair / group work. • Use get- to know activities: index cards, ice breakers. • Recommend - office hours, sit close, tape record.

5. Other Helpful Practices • Learn and use students’ names. • Encourage participation. • Have students work in pairs and groups- jigsaw approach. • Provide time to complete assignments. • Be aware of students ’ different frame of references: TV, jokes, idioms , slang.

6. More Helpful Practices • Come to class early for small talk and stay late for questions. • Use the four steps to fielding questions. • Provide assignments in writing, notes/ lectures on line. • Check students comprehension: questions, non-graded quizzes, one minute responses.

7. A Few More •Provide visuals - board, outlines, diagrams. • Measure achievement via a variety of evaluation instruments. • Provide rubrics for evaluation of assignments, tests, presentations. • Make the most of office hours. • Provide review sessions.