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Seminar organized by Vitim Oy February 26, 2013

The changing world of integrated cultures: how to educate versatile minds ? Irina Mihailova , Dr . Sc . (Econ.) Aalto School of Business . Seminar organized by Vitim Oy February 26, 2013. Why is it important? Reality of business education in Finland (Aalto BIZ).

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Seminar organized by Vitim Oy February 26, 2013

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  1. The changing world of integrated cultures: how to educate versatile minds?Irina Mihailova, Dr. Sc. (Econ.)Aalto School of Business Seminarorganizedby Vitim Oy February 26, 2013

  2. Why is it important? Reality of business education in Finland (Aalto BIZ) • Increasing number of foreign students • Free & high quality education system attracts students from abroad (particularly from Russia and Asian countries); • Diverse mindsets and expectations; • Large classes; • Increasing need for distant learning due to the exchange programs, project work • Emphasize on multidisciplinary approach and programs: • Between School of Business & Engineering & Art; • Between departments  special programs • International pressure: compliance with international business education: • Master program only in English; • International cooperation at faculty and student levels • Top level publications – large research groups

  3. Who are our “versatile” minds? And what are their needs & expectations? Students are: • Bright, very intelligent and learn fast; • Ambitious, don’t see boundaries – national, geographical to achieve their goals • Have a good knowledge of ICT in social life; • Have a lot of alternatives; • Have traveled around, have done a lot, and enjoy dynamic activities; • Enjoy networking and meeting other people • How to commit them to learn?  Old fashioned ways of teaching do not allow to engage students and to ensure their learning outcomes!

  4. What types of needs do we have in education process? • Quick access to information; • On-line communication with different partners: • Easy • Good quality • Usable in different locations • With minimal requirements for technical support • Recording of teaching sessions for assessment purposes: • Company’s feedback, other academic tutors • Documenting context of on-line meetings: • E.g. project teams • Exchange of large files (videos, pictures) during on-line communications, presentations, etc.

  5. What are the challenges? • Faculty is Finnish – older generation; • E.g. not aware of social networks, use of latest technologies (iphone, ipad, etc.) • Lack of experience in multicultural communication • Poor cultural intelligence; • Different expectations: • Lack of experience of working with the foreign students • Lack of knowledge about ICT methods • Lack of organizational support • Aalto practice: primarily use of Skype Yet, students are very different in: • Language; • Background knowledge; • Ability to learn and absorb information

  6. Teaching methods: present practices that might benefit from ICT • Role play games: • Online format: classroom – company representatives • Case studies: • Video materials • Access to each other files • Group work and its documentation • Guest lectures: • In the format of video conferences • Skype: • Alternative programs with better quality of communication; documentation of conversations, etc.

  7. Experimental learning “Experimental learningis experience through reflection on doing” (Kolb & Kolb, 2005) Includes 4 elements for it to be effective: 1. Concrete experience 2. Observation of and reflection on that experience 3. Formation of abstract concepts based upon the reflection 4. Testing the new concepts

  8. Example: CEMS Block seminars (organized jointly between Aalto and GSOM) • Comprised of CEMS students from different schools; • Very intensive – needs variation of teaching methods; • Emphasis on interaction between various parties (students, companies, faculty); • Importance of cultural learning; • Importance of learning of up-to-date tools used in business world (including communication tools); • Time pressure; • Large amount of team work and presentation preparations

  9. Example: course Doing Business in Russia – potential improvements • Corporate videos • Video from the Russian corporate HQ • Russian lecturers • On-line lectures from St.Petersburg: – challenges in coordination of schedules, access to materials… • Use of games • Evaluation by the company • Feedback in real time

  10. SO, WE NEED TO BRING STUDENTS: • More close to business; • More close to culture; • More close to various stakeholders; • More close to real challenges ICT  Can it assist to achieve these goals!

  11. So, the solution is ICT, but we need: • More information about ICT tools; • Provision of training; • Provision of technical support; • Provision of customized products

  12. THANK YOU!QUESTIONS?SUGGESTIONS?

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