Developing New Basic Skills at the Workplace through Internetbased Problemsolving Role Play

1. Developing New Basic Skills at the Workplace through Internetbased Problemsolving Role Play Iasi, September 21-23, 2006 Aase.Steinmetz@skolekom.dk

2. Does it work? • YES!

3. Comments from participants • I had fun I have learned a lot. THANK YOU! • I think it is an interesting activity, and it is suitable for the globalization policy • It is a pity this course only lasted 5 days, l really enjoyed it. • I found it very interesting the cultural exchange with the other countries and the team-work in our group

4. I found it very interesting the cultural exchange with the other countries and the team-work in our group • I’ve learned that lifestyles in the other countries are very different from ours in Norway. • It wasn’t difficult at all, but the other countries didn’t work at the same time as us, so the chatting wasn’t as funny as expected. • I have learned many things about using computers • To cooperate with other people on the internet. • Greater awarenes of the difference and similarity of the countries when we think about children, food and life styles.

5. What I am glad to say is that we finally think in the same way although we live in different countries. • It’s nice to learn to use English and to be more ”safe” using it. And the work was inspiring. • It was funny to use the English language and the computer.

6. Comments from Teachers: • Some came here with low expectations and were surprised how much they have learned • I am a keen supporter of these simulations, not just for language learning but especially for international understanding and collaboration • The participants’ progress have made me feel very motivated to have simular teaching experiences in the future • I really learned and enjoyed it a lot

7. Critical remarks • I think it could be done in less hours per day • It has been hard to employ almost all day in the platform having to leave apart all my duties • I do enjoyed this course, but I fint it very diffecut because I did not understand much, but again there was plenty of help • Time for discussing simultaneously (10 commandments) • the chatting wasn’t as funny as expected

8. Use of the Internet • I am a keen supporter of these simulations on the net • Command of the English Language • By working on the platform, participants have also done a lot of progress with their English, computer and communication skills • Communicative skills in general • It has been a rewarding proess for the participants because the competences they train are so complex, grom group dynamics and negotiations to presentations in English • Team-work • Delighted to see how in such a short time a group of individuals has managed to turn into a coherent and cohesive team • Internationalization • I think it is an interesting activity, and it is suitable for the globalization policy

9. Summing-up Very difficult to find really negative statements