Stick + Stones project
Audra Buck-Coleman, is our first keynote speaker of the day, Coleman’s topic Identifying Potential Pitfalls + Windfalls in Collaborative Projects will definitely set the tone for what follows. She will address some major issues surrounding collaboration, and it consistent use as a buzz word in higher education. Finally she proposes design educators develop more projects that foster critical thinking skills to make students better prepared for today’s creative working environments. Audra explores some of the pitfalls that exist with her projects, and investigates the advantages and disadvantages of working collectively across boarders with other cultures where English is not there first language.
How can design educators adept some of Audra’s rich skills and knowledge for collaborative projects?
What happens when language is a barrier to enhance collaborative critical learning outcomes?
Audra’s presents one project between Blacks students in southern community and Mormons who came to realized they shared more similarities then differences.
She proposes the following question to consider: When working on collaborative projects do your students know how to navigate through stereotyping issues with other ethnic, religious, gender based groups?
Audra proposes the following suggestions based on her collaborative experience of working with Students in China:
Chinese students prefer organized structured learning over US students flexible learning.
What is your Classroom Culture?
Are you well versed in the nuances of the culture?
How prepared are you for flexibility and improvisation in the classroom?
What are the benefits of the professors experience from collaboration?
Check out: Stick + Stones