Social and cross-culture interaction for learning activities

 

Social and cross-cultural interaction skills are critical 21st-century competencies essential for learning activities in higher education which prepare students for success in a rapidly evolving global and digitally interconnected world.

Importance of social and cross-culture interaction skills for learning activities in higher education are;

       I.          Adaptability and Appreciation of Diversity

·        The primary purpose of fostering social and cross-cultural interaction is to make students adaptive, flexible, and appreciative of diversity. This is crucial as diverse work teams and communities are becoming the norm globally.

·        These skills help students acknowledge differences, similarities, barriers, challenges, or values when working in multicultural and diverse environments. They also teach students to recognize and interpret words, body language, and non-verbal communication in a culturally-appropriate manner.

 

     II.          Effective Interaction and Communication

·        Students need to learn to interact effectively with others, which includes knowing when it is appropriate to listen and when to speak, and conducting themselves in a respectable, professional manner. Active listening is a key social skill that allows individuals to determine when to talk and when to pay attention without interrupting.

·        Developing these skills helps individuals communicate more effectively and efficiently. They also involve using emotional intelligence and constructive criticism.

·        Learning to interact effectively with others is vital for harmonious cohabitation, particularly in the workplace, as a lack of interpersonal skills is a frequent reason for job termination, rather than a lack of job-related skills.

 

    III.          Working Effectively in Diverse Teams and Fostering Innovation

·        The ability to work effectively and creatively with team members and classmates, regardless of cultural and stylistic differences, is an essential 21st-century life skill. This includes respecting cultural differences and collaborating with people from a range of social and cultural backgrounds.

·        A key benefit is the ability to leverage social and cultural differences to create new ideas and increase innovation and quality of work. This is because diversity among people creates opportunities for new ideas, concepts, and markets.

·        In learning activities like group work, teachers should create socially and culturally diverse groups, forcing students to interact to complete assignments. Such activities allow students to understand, negotiate, and balance diverse views and beliefs to reach workable solutions, especially in multi-cultural environments.

 

   IV.          Preparation for the 21st Century Workplace

·        Social and cross-cultural skills are a core component of the Career and Life Skills (CLS) domain within the new learning paradigm, which aims to make students job-ready for the 21st century Digital Economy.

·        The interconnected global village of the digital economy necessitates that students understand other nations and their social-cultural ways. They must learn to work collaboratively with people representing diverse cultures, religious beliefs, and lifestyles in a spirit of mutual respect, trust, and transparency.

·        These skills are essential for building and maintaining good relationships with colleagues, clients, and new contacts, navigating complex social situations, gaining diverse perspectives, and providing mutual support in challenging situations. Graduates with mastery of these skills will have a competitive advantage in the modern workforce.

 

     V.          Promoting Global Citizenship and Personal Development

·        Developing these skills helps students become socially adept and cross-culturally fluent global learners and citizens. Organizations like the Asia Society sponsor projects and exchanges that give students a better sense of how people are both different and the same.

·        They encourage students to have an open mind that is receptive to different ideas and values, acknowledging that their own ideas are not necessarily superior.

·        Furthermore, these skills are essential in building both personal and professional relationships in school, college, business, and the workplace. They inspire individuals to contribute positively and responsibly to the digital world.

In summary, incorporating social and cross-cultural interaction into higher education learning activities is not just about appreciating diversity, but about equipping students with the essential collaborative, communicative, and innovative capacities needed to thrive as effective learners, citizens, and professionals in a highly interconnected and diverse world.