Confident Open Modules
Section outline
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In response to the COVID-19 unprecedented crisis in 2020, schools and universities closed down almost immediately and simultaneously, and education all around the world needed to change its course of action and move the majority of the class interaction online. The students most affected by the consequences of the global health crisis were mobile students (both incoming and outgoing). Apart from the need to adjust to online teaching and learning, the mobile students also had to adapt to the new conditions of living almost in lockdown in a foreign country with little to no cultural background/information and sometimes isolated from other students with whom they could connect and share.
The Erasmus+ project, CONFIDENT, was created to tackle these problems. However, online learning has come to stay and intercultural competences never cease to exist.
The students intending to do an international study exchange program are most welcome to join these open modules. The holistic aim of the modules is to empower yourself for achieving maximum output from your study exchange period. The module paves the way to prepare yourself prior to your departure for study exchange. However, these modules serve anyone wishing to enhance their competences in intercultural communication or digital learning.
Before diving into the contents of the modules you might want to assess your current competences in these areas. Three surveys for the self-assessment of intercultural and digital competences can be found here:
https://s.surveyanyplace.com/iss-al https://s.surveyanyplace.com/oic https://s.surveyanyplace.com/dcscale
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Introduction
We live in a more multicultural world than ever before. We face diversity in our everyday life whether it is located in our home country or abroad. Developing individual intercultural skill is therefore essential to enable successful and appropriate communication with people coming from different cultural environments, having different perceptions of life, value systems, rituals and communication patterns. Understanding the significance of culture in every human being’s life – including ourselves - will open the door to being skillful in various intercultural environments.
The aim of the course is to introduce the students to the various dimensions of communication between cultures. The module will show different ways to comprehend cultures according to their deep structures and diverse communication patterns. Issues that create misunderstandings in intercultural interaction will be considered. Through these theoretical and practical observations, another objective of the course will be achieved: development of intercultural skills and competence in diverse multicultural contexts.
After completing the course students will:- be sensitive to cultural determination of behavior and values;
- be able to identify their own cultural norms and prejudices;
- have a greater ability to understand and interpret cultural differences and to be aware of the different culture specificities they will encounter during their mobility abroad;
- be able to recognize different communication styles in a culturally sensitive manner.
Here you can ask any course-related questions from the teachers. -
Welcome to Chapter 1. In this chapter, you will learn:
- what is included in the definition of culture and how different cultures influence our lives;
- how our perception is determined by the perspective we take;
- that culture is like an iceberg and organized in hierarchically-structured logical levels that mutually influence one another;
- how to put your own prejudices into perspective;
- what is a culture shock and how we can overcome it.
Index Chapter 1: Culture- Introduction
- What is Culture?
- Cultural Determination of our perception
- Culture is like an Iceberg
- Culture Shock
- Insights into Culture
- Online Activity
- Self Assessment
- Individual Reflections
- Additional Information & Literature
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Welcome to Chapter 2. In this chapter, you will learn:
- about the various cultural dimensions of Hall, Hofstede, Trompenaars and the GLOBE Study;
- determine the benefits and limitations of the cultural dimensions;
- explain own and other people's behavior with the help of the cultural dimensions;
- interpret intercultural misunderstandings and conflicts appropriately with the help of the cultural dimensions;
- how to recognize positive and negative extremes of different value patterns.
Index Chapter 2: Intercultural Dimensions
- Introduction
- What are Cultural Dimensions?
- Examples of Cultural Dimensions
- Reconciling Cultural Differences
- Insights into Intercultural Dimensions
- Online Activity
- Self Assessment
- Individual Reflections
- Additional Information & Literature
Please access the book down below for all unit content - about the various cultural dimensions of Hall, Hofstede, Trompenaars and the GLOBE Study;
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Welcome to Chapter 3. In this chapter, you will learn:
- to define intercultural competence;
- to distinguish the different levels of intercultural competence;
- strategies to manage intercultural conflicts and misunderstandings.
Please access the book down below for all unit content -
Welcome to Chapter 4. In this chapter, you will learn:- to understand the mechanisms of communication;
- to recognize misunderstandings in communication on a verbal, non-verbal, and paraverbal level;
- about different communication rules in various countries.
- Introduction
- Definition
- Communication Misunderstandings
- Insights into Intercultural Communication - Germany
- Insights into Intercultural Communication - Romania
- Insights into Intercultural Communication - Finland
- Online Activity I
- Online Activity II
- Self assessment
- Individual Reflections
- Group Work
- Additional Information & Literature
Please access the book down below for all unit content - to understand the mechanisms of communication;
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Introduction
This module is designed to address the needs of students to get accustomed to different online teaching and learning platforms and tools, thus ensuring a better inclusion in their study groups at home or at the host institutions during study exchange. By acquiring these digital learning skills the integration at the partner university will be smoother and challenge-free.
Another goal of the module is to tackle the topic of ethics and information security in order to ensure the students’ welfare in the digital world, and to fight against cyberbullying, fake news, online violence and other means of online disinformation.
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Introduction Chapter 1
No two human beings are alike, no two cultures either. In this contemporary globalization process, to succeed, to thrive, and to face challenges of the era of digitalization we need to have knowledge of other cultures. Knowledge of other cultures is essential, among other things, for communication and interaction as these two are fundamental cornerstones for succeeding in international dealing and pursuing education abroad.The Intercultural Communication module aims to ensure that the mobile students have a better understanding of the cultural differences in the world, that they will know how to tackle the cultural shock once they get to their host destination and that they will adjust as best as possible to the new cultural environment without feeling isolated or disrupted. It will develop the students’ coping mechanisms to new challenges and environments as well as train them in identifying adequate cultural solutions to the problems they might encounter.With the uncertainty ruling the current times and without having sometimes the possibility to have physical meetings with the staff in the host university, the students need this cultural preparation before the start of their mobility abroad since it will offer them confidence and a feeling of certainty and easiness.At the end of this unit, learners will be able to- better understand the cultural differences in the world
- adjust as best as possible to the new cultural environment without feeling isolated or disrupted
Index Chapter 1: Intercultural Communication in the Digital World
- Power of Diversity in Multicultural Virtual Teams
- Managing Cultural Dimension
- IT Solutions Supporting Virtual Teams
- Virtual Teamwork and Co-Creation
- Video Editing and Sharing
Please access the book down below for all unit content
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Introduction Chapter 2
Learning environments, e-learning platforms and knowledge sharing platforms refer to spaces and places, as well as communities and practices, where studying and learning take place. The e-learning environments and knowledge sharing platforms also include the tools, services and materials used in the study and courses. (e-perusteet 2014.)E-Learning environments and knowledge sharing platforms should support the growth, learning and interaction of the individual and the community. All community members influence learning environments through their actions. Well-functioning e-learning environments and knowledge sharing platforms promote interaction, participation, and community knowledge building. The goal of the learning environments is that they form a pedagogically diverse and flexible entity. The environments and platforms take into account the special needs of different subjects. Learning environments must provide opportunities for creative solutions and for examining and researching things from different perspectives. (e-perusteet 2014.)
Index Chapter 2: E-Learning Platforms- E-Learning: Definition, Advantages and Disadvantages
- Definitions and Classifications, Advantages and Disadvantages
- Widely Used E-Learning and Knowledge Sharing Platforms
- TAMK Moodle LMS
- HSB Aulis LMS
- UAIC Moodle LMS
- Digicampus LMS
- E-Learning 2.0 and Beyond: Mobile Learning & Gamification
- Definition of Mobile Learning & Gamification
- Mobile Learning
- Gamification
Please access the book down below for all unit content
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Introduction Chapter 3
The abundance of data and information available to users through Internet services can be overwhelming and confusing. Navigating the digital ocean is not always an easy task, as the waters are sometimes far from peaceful. In an environment that can be distracting for humans mind and behaviour, turning data and information into knowledge is challenging. The third chapter of the module tackles topics such as the ethics of information and communication technologies, cyber security, fake news, in order to guide students to an ethical behavior and a secure evolution in the digital environment.
Index Chapter 3: Use of IT in Learning
- Introduction to Ethical Challenges
- Difficulties and Good Practices in E-Learning
- Use of IT in Learning - Challenges
- Introduction to Cybersecurity Threats
- Cyberthreats
- Cybersecurity Threats
- Introduction to Fake News: Exposure, Dimensions and Effects
- Fakes News
- Exposure, Dimensions and Effects
- Guide for Ethical Secure and Nonbiased Behavior in the Digital World
Please access the book down below for all unit content
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Welcome to the last chapter !
You have now read, analyzed and completed most if not all tasks for this module. Congratulations! (Just remember to check your completion bar on the upper right hand side in case you have missed anything and/or check the books once you´ve gone through them).
Please continue on to the cyber café for complete further tasks. See you there!
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Welcome to the Cyber Café !
Providing meaningful digital tools for the mobile students by means of which they can interact and share their experiences, fears, hopes and expectations with other students and student associations' representatives before they actually go on their physical mobility, the online social platform “The Cyber Cafe" will enable students to actively find out more about other cultures in a safe environment, become more interested in cultural diversity as well as chat with their peers. The Cyber Café is a virtual social meeting point for the mobile students, a place for fostering cultural diversity and encouraging self-discovery.
Please follow the link to the cyber café Lobby to discover insightful information about our partnering universities and their local culture. The lobby can also be used to interact and engage with other students and team members:
Welcome to the Confident CyberCafe's Lobby [uaic.ro]
Furthermore, you are tasked with completing different tasks and assignments related to the two previous modules. Time to put in practice what you´ve learned! Head on over to the academic room:
Academic Room [uaic.ro]
See you there...
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