Let's get down to business! Before we meet up online (via zoom) for the very first time, we would like you to do the following:
Have a look at the rules of conduct listed down below. They serve as 'guiding rules' you should follow when you are working together in groups - especially if your group consists of people with different cultural backgrounds and mother tongues.
Have a look at the schedule to get an overview of the project.
Make yourself familiar with your task. The main collaborative task will be a Quiz (Link down below). However, in order to be able to complete the quiz, you need to prepare yourself a bit. Please find more information under "Your Task".
HAVE FUN!
Do things on time and be reliable when it comes to deadlines, meetings, etc.
--> Always remember that you’re not a loner, but part of a group and thus you should show consideration for others and their schedules
Be prepared for the zoom meetings
Listen to each other, be respectful and sensitive
Make sure that everyone participates in the group work and raises their voice, but also accept if someone doesn’t want to say anything in a certain situation (especially if the topic of conversation is a sensitive one!)
Help each other if there are any problems
Try to express yourself as clear as possible to avoid misunderstandings, always make sure that you are being understood by the others. Since English is not your mother tongue, this is especially important!
Every opinion should be taken into consideration! Respect each other, even if you don’t share the same opinion and don’t find common ground
If you have the feeling that there are misunderstandings, address the problem right away. Communication is key!
Please follow the link to our schedule:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zlempcQqH2pYb4kpjJhf8_k6QYYDoyQG3Wfa924s4Mk/edit?usp=sharing
1) Preparation for the first zoom meeting:
Choose a place in your hometown/ a city in your home country. Take a picture or research the internet for a nice picture. Upload it on Padlet using the following link: https://padlet.com/edenigbaria/e0f2q20q1d2xwhxe.
You'll find a map with some examples given by the instructors. Click on the '+' symbol on the right. Type in the city + the country. Upload your photo and write a few sentences.
Write three general sentences about why your group members should visit this place/why do you recommend visiting this specific place. You could also add details at which time of the year they should go there, and what you can do there.
Have a look at the other photos. Maybe you can think of some questions you would like to ask your teammates next week.
2) First Zoom Meeting, Get to know each other, Present your places to each other:
You will meet up online (via zoom) with your group for the first time. You will get to know each other and you will also be asked to present your places to each other. The following guiding questions may help you get the ball rolling:
Why did you choose this place? What is so special about it? Describe your personal connection to that place, and maybe share a personal/defining/ funny experience.
Do you prefer spending time in nature or in the city? Which regions in your country would you recommend to the others?
What can you do in the city you chose/ you live in? (culture, food, free-time activities, ...) How do Israel and Germany differ from each other?
When is the best time to travel to Germany/Israel? Summer or winter? Why?
3) Collaborative Task:
We created a cross-cultural quiz for you. You can draw on your discussion from last week, maybe you already discussed some aspects that may help you answer the questions. If not, it is much more important for you to work as a team. There may be some tricky questions and you may have to do some research as well. You are four people - think of a strategy that will help you solve the task. (e.g. One of you could share their screen, one does the research, ...). The quiz is divdided into four categories: Geography, Food, Holidays and a 'lightning round' which will test your abilitiy to work in a team.
Here are some things to consider:
You cannot skip any questions. You really have to answer the questions correctly in order to move on to the next one. As you can see, cooperation is important!
After each question you will be given a single letter. Collect all of them - you will need them to come up with a solution word in the end.
4) Written reflection:
After our very last zoom session, we want you to reflect on your group work. Write a short reflection (250 words). The following guiding questions can help you:
What did you learn by working with the students from Israel?
What did you like about the project?
What did surprise you?
What challenges did you face? How did you overcome difficulties?
Did you have any language problems during the collaboration?
What would you do differently/better next time?
This collaborative project will help you learn about the Israeli/German culture and expand your knowledge about each other's countries. Since you will be communicating in English which is not your mother tongue, this project will help you improve your communication skills. Furthermore, you will be exposed to several online tools that will enable you to practice your media competence. Finally, this collaboration will strengthen your teamwork ability.
Here are the links: