Intercultural Learning Critical preparation Module 4 Critical Reflection & Culture

MODULE I MODULE MODULE MODULE MODULE Culture Imperialism Cultural Diversity Racism Privilege Critical Reflection Culture Intercultural Practice . A TERMS RESOURCES MODULE Critical Culture Learning goal To understand the role of critical reflection in making explicit aspects of an cultural self , and to articulate how culture shapes values , beliefs and ' Click here to watch the video Critical reflection

MODULE I MODULE MODULE MODULE MODULE Culture Imperialism Cultural Diversity Racism Privilege Critical Reflection Culture Intercultural Practice . A I TERMS You ca really know the self fully until you have engaged in critical The previous unit suggested that an understanding of racism and privilege required going beyond abstract , conceptual knowledge about these issues . A critical understanding involves on our own situations and experiences , connecting these to the broader concepts and dynamics under consideration . This is also true for our broader goal of intercultural learning . Intercultural awareness is not about a passive absorption of cultural knowledge which one then applies in intercultural interactions rather , it requires ongoing and critical about key aspects of one cultural critically framework helps to make explicit the ways in which culture shapes our values , beliefs , and . We explore this further in this module . intercultural awareness is not about a passive absorption of cultural knowledge which one then applies in intercultural interactions rather , it requires ongoing and critical reflection about key aspects of one cultural Click here to watch the video Why is critical reflection important ?

I Culture Imperialism Cultural Diversity Through your participation in the reflective exercises of the previous units you have already begun to explore your capacity to critically reflect upon key aspects of your culture , and cultural self . The aim of this unit is to consolidate that learning . In so doing , we examine ( or for many of you , the concept of critical reflection . In particular , we explore its usefulness as a conceptual and theoretical tool that helps make explicit aspects of one cultural self . The importance of critical in intercultural interactions can not be . Without a reflective awareness of our own cultural selves , we risk reproducing the very dynamics that have been discussed in this so far cultural reductionism , imperialism and racism . Cultural awareness involves not simply knowing something of the nature of culture , or learning about the culture of others , it involves developing a deep and critical awareness of our own cultural selves and our position in relation to issues such as cultural imperialism and racism . Central to the process of excavating the elements that make up our cultural self is the development of a critically reflective framework . Learning to navigate cultural differences with openness , awareness and respect requires explicit acknowledgement of one cultural self , by making the invisible visible or exploring those aspects that are not known to our self or others . One of the key writers on critical reflection , Ian defines critical as a transformative process based upon a theoretical framework whereby one engages in a process of understanding how power and domination come into practice . This process includes an analysis of structural factors such as class , and gender . It includes also an analysis of cultural factors , such as beliefs and behaviours . These insights are then reflexively linked to understanding based upon their MODULE Racism Privilege not known to others known to others MODULE Critical Reflection Culture known to sell MODULE Intercultural Practice KEV LEARNING RESOURCES not known to sell REF . on

( WELCOME MODULE I Culture Imperialism Cultural Diversity Racism Privilege There are four aspects to critical selecting a topic or event to on deciding on who you will with , yourself or a group working through a series of steps and making use of a range of skills and strategies . Reflection on Reflection steps Critical incidents Theory and practice Describe Interpret Verify Explain Reconstruct 41 44 45 46 47 Reflecting with Individual ( journaling ) Discuss , learn from support peers A learning partner teaching staff , clients or community members sharing the position of being a learner with others Reflection skills and strategies Create a safe space Active listening Reflecting back and checking understanding Reserving judgement or evaluation of thoughts or others Putting yourself in others shoes Being aware of power differences Practising humility MODULE Critical Reflection Culture MODULE Intercultural Practice KEV LEARNING TERMS RESOURCES Reflection on The first aspect is to identify the topic , feelings or events that will form the focus for your reflection . This may be a critical incident that has occurred that disrupted or made you your professional assumptions . Alternatively , you may be encountering a mismatch between the theory you have been learning during your course and the application of that theory in practice . These differences can particularly arise in poor settings . The first aspect therefore is to identify the topic or event that will form the subject of your critical reflection . Reflecting with Reflection can occur in formal or informal settings . You may choose to integrate reflection as part of your daily life through conversations or journaling , or through more formal group experiences with your peers , teaching staff or community members . In practice , a mix of these options can be beneficial . Individual reflection can have the advantage of time , space and privacy of thoughts however , learning about the reactions of others to a similar experience can often assist with unearthing our own cultural assumptions . REF .

Lee Culture MODULE I REFLECTION STEPS Critical steps can involve two stages . Deconstructing or unearthing deep assumptions through the process of reflection by describing , interpreting , verifying and explaining your topic or . Putting it back together , or reconstructing , to realise how such insights can or transform one The steps listed here represent the DIVER ( Describe , Interpret , Verify , Explain , Reconstruct ) approach to . The critical worksheet will help you work through these steps . Click here to go to the critical reflection worksheet Imperialism Cultural Diversity MODULE Describe by listening , observing and remaining open to a situation , holding off on judgement or evaluation . This step involves describing in detail your critical incident , feeling or differences noticed between theory and reality . Try to be as descriptive and as possible , describe what you saw and what you heard . Interpret your description by writing or discussing what you thought about the incident . Think of two or three alternative ways your description could be interpreted . Try and put yourself in other people shoes and think about the interpretation that they might offer , what might they notice in your description or how might they react . What does your description reveal about what is to you and what aspects you tend to pay less attention to ?

Verify by acknowledging that your own and other cultures are dynamic and therefore your understanding of other cultures needs to be constantly checked through collaborative learning practices . Test your Racism Privilege MODULE interpretations , ask host staff or students or other local community members further questions to explore your assumptions and interpretations . Explain your new understanding of the incident , by connecting your interpretation with theories and concepts that you have explored in this intercultural learning module . What words have you used and what do these indicate about your perspective of the experience ?

What assumptions have you noticed in your original description and where might they have come from ?

What does your description reveal about your values , beliefs or awareness of power ?

What does this tell you about your and others cultural practices ?

Reconstruct by putting these steps back together . What does this mean for yourself and your future professional practice ?

What might you do differently in the future ?

What new understandings about yourself and others do you bring to a situation ?

MODULE Critical Reflection Culture MODULE Intercultural Practice KEV reams ?

LEARNING . am MODULE I Culture MODULE WELCOME REFLECTION SKILLS AND STRATEGIES processes require honesty and can create a degree of discomfort . Group reflective exercises in particular require a safe space for everyone to share thoughts , ideas and experiences without fear of judgement . This requires all participants to respect confidentiality and to maintain attitudes of curiosity without judgement , removing competition and communicating with respect . The same attitudes can be applied in individual this is not a time to be overly critical , but rather to adopt an open attitude of learning about self . The skills that assist with creating safe environments include active and reflective listening , reserving judgement , seeking to understand other points of view , believing that others are acting with good intent , being aware of power and practising humility . Active listening can be hampered by bad habits such as , or thinking ahead ?

Imperialism Cultural Diversity MODULE ! Racism Privilege Critical Reflection Culture Read one of the following articles that highlights the barriers to active listening Read these articles by Esther or Kathryn Robertson that highlight the barriers to active listening . What obstacles prevent you from listening actively ?

What strategies could you use to notice when your mind is wondering , judging , avoiding or thinking ahead instead of listening actively during your interactions with others ?

Using the critical reflection worksheet write or draw an outline of your own critically reflective framework that you can use as a guide for your forthcoming international learning experience . Discuss your responses with your lecturer , fellow students , friends or family . Click here to go to the critical reflection worksheet DU LE Intercultural Practice I Further your engagement with the topic of critical reflection and culture by referring to the Learning Resources page . Click here to go to the Learning Resources section REF .