Marianne Grey

Lecturer, School of Business, Higher Education Division, Swinburne University of Technology, Victoria, Australia

Visualising the "Other" in the University Classroom

Abstract

The internationalisation of Australian universities poses many questions for administrators and educators in relation to its meaning and implementation. The presence of a large international student body has focused attention on the issue of cultural diversity and what it might mean for teaching and learning. A range of strategies has been considered but valuable intercultural learning opportunities are being lost because of the limited understanding of cultural difference and how to deal with it. In the university classroom this can lead to an understanding of difference as being the "exotic other" rather than understanding its characteristics and interconnectedness as well as the dynamic nature of these relationships. In a class where a critical pedagogy is used students explore this issue through a visual mode. This is a liberating form of meaning-making which empowers students to explore and question difference, identity and power relations in the university classroom. It has implications for the development of culturally inclusive teaching and learning strategies and curricula.

Presentation Type
30 min. Paper

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Country
Australia