Now that you have watched the video “ ” and answered to the first set of questions, reflect and answer to the following questions:

The following questions have been adapted by the teaching notes for the film developed by the producer that can be contacted by writing at Email "steve.crawford@mac.com", Email "ronan@fullfocus.com" or Email "diversophy@gmail.com".

QUESTION 1

Jirani, our Nigerian student, reacts to Alexandra’s leadership initiative by asking, “Does it really have to be a female in charge here?” Jirani later discusses this issue with his African friend while playing pool, during which he seems confused about whether the issue is about being told what to do or because the orders come from a woman. Finally, during the recovery meeting, Jirani votes for Alexandra to be the leader of the reorganised group. 

  • Why do you think that Jirani had this issue, and how do you think he was able to reconcile his feelings about it? 
  • What helps Jirani to embrace Alexandra’s leadership at the end?

QUESTION 2

In the recovery meeting, Alexandra and Hanna clash over the leadership of the group. Hanna states that she felt that Alexandra had taken control, and that in Finland “each person takes a fair share, and that everyone is more-or-less equal at the start.” Alexandra explains that her position was not about equality but simply about getting and keeping the group’s work process moving: while explaining that in Russia it is usual for a leader to take control of the process. 

  • How are groups managed in your context? 
  • How do you think international students who are not used to teamwork activity perceive this learning method? 
  • What is the role of leadership in your culture in teamwork contexts?

QUESTION 3

Warren introduces the “new maths” analogy in which in multicultural team work each member’s contribution to a team has the potential to combine synergistically with the input of the other members such that sum total of the team’s result is compounded, and then continues the analysis by comparing the team members with different pieces on a chessboard. He tells Mikko that if his team continues to perform like five pawns, they won’t get much done.

  • What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of multicultural teamworks?
  • When do you think multicultural teamwork can be defined as successful?
  • What do you think are concrete skills and practical suggestions to be able to benefit from multicultural team working?

QUESTION 4

Jirani is consistently late for each meeting, and seems to be struggling to balance work and school. Hanna criticises Jirani’s tardiness in a group meeting. At one point he misses one of the group meetings completely.

  • What is the role of time in your home country and how is time managed?
  • In your home country, do students typically have to work while in school and if so, how does that affect their lives and relationships both at home and school?
  • How do you feel about Hanna’s handling of Jirani’s tardiness?

QUESTION 5

Warren introduces the “new maths” analogy in which in multicultural team work each member’s contribution to a team has the potential to combine synergistically with the input of the other members such that sum total of the team’s result is compounded, and then continues the analysis by comparing the team members with different pieces on a chessboard. He tells Mikko that if his team continues to perform like five pawns, they won’t get much done.

  • What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of multicultural teamworks?
  • When do you think multicultural teamwork can be defined as successful?
  • What do you think are concrete skills and practical suggestions to be able to benefit from multicultural team working?

QUESTION 6

At the end of the video, the students reflect on their experiences as group members in the project. Alexandra says, “I thought learning came from books and lectures.” Diego reports that, “For me, studying in another country with so many international students has caused me to see Mexico in a whole different way.” Jirani says that, “I was surprised to encounter so many different ideas about teaching and learning in Finland. I had to learn so many things about myself…” In his meeting with Mikko, Warren says that students from abroad come to our schools with their own “traditions of teaching and learning.” But it seems also that through this experience the students have learned as much about their own culture as they have about other cultures. Your students may already have some experiences of working in a multicultural setting.

  • What have you learned about yourself while working in a multicultural setting, and how has it affected your work with teachers and other students?
  • How do you think these lessons might affect you in the future?

Write your answer in the forum below and discuss it with your peers.

{discussion:Week 5 Forum 3}