Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The overall learning outcome is to achieve awareness and skills to effectively communicate with others in global virtual team settings. On successful completion of the course, students will be able to achieve:

  • The ability to understand key characteristics of ‘global virtual team’ as well as its targeted benefits and potential challenges
  • The ability to illustrate key concepts and models of global/intercultural competence
  • The ability to link core dimensions of global competence (i.e. attitudes, knowledge, skills and critical awareness) with virtual teamwork contexts
  • The ability to discuss the role of English as a Lingua Franca in global virtual team settings
  • The ability to reflect how to apply an understanding of communication theories to real-life teamwork contexts
  • The ability to develop pragmatic communication strategies to work effectively and appropriately in a global virtual team

Credits: 1 - 2

Schedule: 23.04.2024 - 28.05.2024

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Yoonjoo Cho

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):

CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):

Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):

Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    This course aims to develop students’ global competence to work effectively in a global virtual team. Potential topics to be covered in the classes are as follows:

    • Describe and understand key areas of social actions in global virtual team settings (e.g. team-building, negotiating roles and deadlines, navigating different time zones and legal standards, delivering feedback and criticism, using technologies in team communication)
    • Identify key sources of intercultural misunderstanding and miscommunication by exploring relevant concepts and theories
    • Discuss potential solutions to resolve the misunderstanding and miscommunication issues in global virtual teams

Assessment Methods and Criteria
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    To pass this course, students are expected to meet 80% attendance and submit course work (both the individual task and team project) in due time. The coursework includes several learning activities such as reflective tasks and a team presentation. Students are also encouraged to actively participate in small group discussions with peers in each class. The key evaluation criteria are as follows:

    - Active participation 20%

    - Discussion leading 20%

    - Individual task 20%

    - Team project 40%

Workload
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Contact hours (exercises): 6-12 h (1 cr) or 12-24 h (2 cr)

    Assignments: 15-21 h (1 cr) or 30-42 h (2 cr)

DETAILS

Study Material
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Online materials provided by teacher through MyCourses

Substitutes for Courses
Prerequisites

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    This course is designed both for Aalto and Unite! (https://www.unite-university.eu/) students. That is, 50% of the place (i.e. maximum 10 students) of this course will be allocated to Unite! students. It would be also ideal for Unite! students, if they take this course along with other ECOL(European Common Online Learning) virtual exchange courses.

    Teaching Language : English

    Teaching Period : 2022-2023 Autumn II, 2023-2024 Spring V

    Enrollment :

    Registration for courses will take place on Sisu (sisu.aalto.fi).