Cultural Bridge to Classroom Launch

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17 April 2008

QUT Staff enjoy advanced viewing of Cultural Bridge videos at the launch.

International students now have a new resource to help them in their transition to studying at university. The QUT International College officially launched the Cultural Bridge to Classroom videos in P Block, QUT Kelvin Grove campus.

The Cultural Bridge to Classroom videos were developed and produced by staff, and students of the College in collaboration with QUT Teaching and Learning Support Services. They are designed to be used in the classroom to open discussion on the different teaching and learning approaches that students may experience at university and to assist the students in their transition to university. Director of the QUT International College, Ms Elizabeth McDade, said that the College students come from diverse educational backgrounds and the transition to studying in Australia poses many challenges including the many different teaching and learning styles and demands at university.

The Project team of International College staff engaged in discussions with students and staff at the International College and other sections within QUT to identify common learning challenges for international students.

Ms Frohman, Language and Learning Advisor and also project team member, said “We wanted the end product to be relevant, interesting and engaging for the students, and to be a resource which can be easily incorporated into the teaching curriculum by teachers.”

The eight videos provide scenarios of challenges to studying at university and open discussion on how to deal with these challenges. They show different teachers’ and students’ perspectives and expectations on various topics. “The videos highlight the difficulties which international students encounter when working in groups, referencing in assignments and managing their time among others. We want to remove the misconceptions that there is only one teaching or learning style. This is definitely not the case. Students need to be aware that they will be exposed to different teaching styles and ways of learning during their course of study,” said Ms Frohman.

“It is very exciting for students to study overseas. However the social and academic cultural shock which many face in their first semester at university can have considerable impact on their study,” said Ms McDade. “We understand many of the academic challenges for international students, and the Cultural Bridge to Classroom videos will assist them to overcome these challenges and make their transition to university as smooth as possible.”

The videos are used as teaching and learning resources at the College and QUT through QUT’s online teaching site, Blackboard. The College is making this useful resource available to other teachers in Australia and overseas. To view or download the videos, visit the International College website at www.qutic.qut.edu.au/projects/.