Exchanging Cultures

Students will exchange information about their culture, each presenting facts, photos, artifacts, etc. about daily living in their home country and will chart similarities and differences betweeb the two.

Project time frame

2-3 days for preparation of materials. 60-90 minute video connection.

How to sign up

Email Julie Harris at jharris@rochester.k12.mi.us by May 30th, 2008.  We are open to all schools interested.

Connection

IP/H.323 schools

Learner Outcomes

Students will examine their own culture and will compare and contrast it to the culture of mideast U.S. Students will build an awareness for other world cultures and develop an understanding and empathy for people of all nations regardless of that culture's preferences, social customs, and traditions. Students will also develop a better understanding of the power of digital media for communication and global awareness.

ISTE National Educational Technology Standards:

2. Communication and Collaboration. Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others. Students:

a. interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media.

b. communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats.

c. develop cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with learners of other cultures.

6. Technology Operations and Concepts. Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and operations. Students:

a. understand and use technology systems.

b. select and use applications effectively and productively.

d. transfer current knowledge to learning of new technologies.

Michigan Social Studies High School Content Expectations: Contemporary Global Issues

CG3 Patterns of Global Interaction.  Define the process of globalization and evaluate the merit of this concept to describe the contemporary world by analyzing:

• Economic interdependence of the world’s countries and world trade patterns 
• The exchanges of scientific, technological, and medical innovations.
• Cultural diffusion and the different ways cultures/societies respond to “new” cultural ideas and patterns.
• Comparative economic advantages and disadvantages of regions, regarding cost of labor, natural resources, location, and tradition.

Methods and Activities

Pre-Conference:

2-3 days prior to connection, students will work in teams to gather information, photos, and artifacts on one topic of their own culture. Student should go into their community, homes, etc. and be encouraged to take photos and gather authentic items representing that topic. Students will then create a visual presentation of that particular topic.

Teachers are asked to create a seating chart of where all particpants will be seated and/or prepare desk nameplates so students can address each other by name.

Cultural topics to select from include:

• Language
• Food
• Important historical events
• Annual celebrations and events
• Climate and current weather
• Geography, enviromental specifics (city, suburban, rural area)
• Local places of importance
• School structure
• Family life
• Popular hobbies and activities
• Current teen trends
• Challenges young people face

During the video connection:

Student teams at each location presenting the same cultural topic will alternate giving their presentation on their own country. Listeners will make notes on the similarities and differences while listening. After both presentations of each topic are finished, students from both locations will collaboratively create a visual representation of similarities and differences between the two cultures. Data will be drawn out using a white board or entered in and displayed from a computer.

Agenda:

1. 10 min.       Welcome and introductions
2. 40-60 min.  By topic, each student team gives their presentation, and both locations particpate in a group discussion. facilitated by teachers, of the similiarities and differences of the topic just presented.
3. 10-20 min.  Both classes examine the comparisons completed and discuss the overall similarities and differences of the two cultures.

Post-Conference:

Student teams pair up with the other location's team with the same topic and exchage email address. Teachers can foster students to gain more cultural information from these connections, such as personal likes and dislikes, hobbies, activities, etc. and to share a personal experience of daily life in that culture. 

Materials

PowerPoint or other presentation software.

Digital cameras for collecting photos.

Document camera for presenting any artifacts.

Several templates of graphic organizers will be sent to the distance location ahead of time to determine which style best fits this comparison and contrast activity.