September 2007 — News
Print this article | Email this articleClick here to receive your FREE subscription to T.H.E. Journal
Cultural Exchange: LMS Bonds Texas Students with Denmark
Because of the age differences between the Texas and Danish students, Gillis said, the project had to include careful consideration of the fact that the Texas students were minors: "We had to really stress [to the Danish partners] our student privacy laws, and safety." For example, students weren't allowed to e-mail each other directly; they could only converse through the open discussion forums set up in Blackboard. In addition, an adult moderator was present during discussions. All exchanges were in English; one of the goals of Danish students was to improve their English skills.
Oratory initially offered the project as part of an advanced psychology course, intended as a voluntary after-school program. Fourteen students from the United States participated, 12 from Denmark, and a lone student from Brownwood Senior High.
According to Lars Jensen, who works as a pedagogical adviser and teacher at Roskilde, "All of the Danish students loved the project." Students there worked on the project for four lessons a week, spending most of that time corresponding with the Texas students through Blackboard's Discussion Board. They also often stayed after school to correspond some more. Many were surprised at the many similarities between cultures and living styles. "They found it was nice to hear from some real young people what life is like in the U.S.," Jensen said, "and get another picture than the one they have from films and news."
Cultural differences quickly surfaced when Texas students suggested beginning each session with a moment of prayer. The relatively secular Danes deferred, and Texas students quickly agreed to begin with a moment of silence instead. As a cross-cultural moment of understanding a different viewpoint, "they handled it beautifully," Gillis said.
In the group studying holidays, students first chatted about Thanksgiving versus a Danish holiday, then created a joint holiday the students dubbed "Denmas," to commemorate the coming together of two cultures. The music and theater groups compared popular musicians in Denmark with their counterparts in the United States, including a Danish Dolly Parton.
More schools and more students will be involved this year, with more robust themes, Gillis said; both she and Jensen said they hope that Danish students and teachers can visit the Texas students.
Read More:
READ MORE FEATURES AND CASE STUDIES
About the author: Linda L. Briggs is a freelance writer based in San Diego, CA.
Proposals for articles and tips for news stories, as well as questions and comments about this publication, should be submitted to David Nagel, executive editor, at dnagel@1105media.com.
Cite this Site
copy text (above) for proper citation
