Study Guide

Objective

This course will give you the competences for effective communication in virtual work.
The students:
• Considers cultural and ethical aspects when dealing with different people in working communities and other groups and networks.
• Is capable of demanding international communication (written and oral) and interaction in his/her field in English language.

Content

The topics include, but may not be limited to, the following:
- career orientation in virtual environments
- cultural considerations for online communication
- written communication in virtual work
- presenting information using online tools
- holding meetings and negotiations online
- rules and policies for online communication

Teaching methods

The course is task-based and participants will work both individually and in small groups. The course is 100% online and there will be assignments completed online, as well as live online meetings that are held in small groups. Attending these online meetings is essential for the course completion.

Exam schedules

No exam. The assessment is based on successful completion of the course assignments and attendance in online meetings. Retake is possible by completing failed assignments as agreed with the teacher.

International connections

Individual development task
Process learning
Self-reflection
Peer evaluation

Completion alternatives

Student can provide a case study by presenting his/her competence in virtual communication in English by choosing one of the following situations in their own work:

-Career orientation in virtual environments
-Cultural considerations for online communication
-Written communication in virtual work
-Presenting information using online tools
-Holding meetings and negotiations online in English
-Rules and policies for online communication

Student will provide a written report of 1800-2400 words, a 10 minute video recording presenting the highlights of the acquired competence in the aforementioned selected topic and a short self-reflection on the acquired competence and the work provided for assessment. Please follow reporting style and use referencing. The video must include a visual presentation as well as audio/video recording.

The deadline for the return of the alternative attainment is 20 Jan 2020.

Student workload

Course folder will be published in Optima on Mon 3 Feb 2020 (if you don´t access the folder on Tue 4 Feb, contact the teacher!)

Course kick-off meeting will be held online on Mon 10 Feb 2020 at 3-4pm in the following address: https://turkuamk.zoom.us/j/211281249

Click on the meeting link and attend the meeting. Ensure beforehand that your headphones and webcam work.

In addition:
Online meetings (2x per small group; you will be assigned to a group once the course starts):
Mon - Tue 30-31 March between 2-5pm (1 hour per group)
Mon - Tue 27- 28 Aprlil between 2-5pm (1 hour per group)
The links to these meetings will be provided once the course has started.

25h preparation and participation in online meetings and online communication
80h individual research and assignment
25h self-reflection and peer evaluation
5h getting to know the tools

Content scheduling

This course will give you the competences for effective communication in virtual work. The topics include, but may not be limited to, the following:

• career orientation in virtual environments
• cultural considerations for online communication
• written communication in virtual work
• presenting information using online tools
• holding meetings and negotiations online in English
• rules and policies for online communication

Outcomes
The students:
• Considers cultural and ethical aspects when dealing with different people in working communities and other groups and networks.
• Is capable of demanding international communication (written and oral) and interaction in his/her field in English language.

Further information

The student must have a computer with an internet connection, a webcam and headphones. Those without a webcam, headphones or an internet connection will not be able to complete course.
English language skill level B2(https://rm.coe.int/CoERMPublicCommonSearchServices/DisplayDCTMContent?documentId=090000168045bb52)

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment methods and criteria

Individual Case Study 50% (including written report and visual/oral presentation)
Online meetings 40% (including tasks and peer evaluation)
Self-reflection 10%

Assessment criteria, fail (0)

Assignments not completed as required, no attendance in online meetings

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

• The student can describe the importance of communication competence virtual work, and shows some ability to apply it in authentic situations.
• The student is able to describe communication competence in virtual work in the selected development task
• The student is able to identify main concepts from frameworks used for the selected development task.
• The student is able to use professional English at a basic level in written and spoken virtual work contexts.
• The student participates in online meetings but does not take active part to demonstrate competence.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

• The student can analyse the importance of communication competence virtual work, and shows ability to communicate and function in virtual multicultural environments.
• The student is able to analyse communication competence in virtual work in the selected development task
• The student is able to describe main concepts from frameworks used for the selected development task and shows understanding of how they can be used in practice.
• The student demonstrates the use of professional English in written and spoken virtual work contexts.
• The student takes active part in online meetings to demonstrate competence.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

• The student shows the importance of communication competence by communicating and functioning in virtual multicultural environments in a culturally sensitive and professional manner
• The student shows ability to apply and adapt communication competence in virtual work in the selected development task
• The student is able to apply concepts from frameworks used for the selected development task and shows examples of how their use in practice.
• The student demonstrates fluent use of professional English in written and spoken virtual multicultural work contexts.
• The student takes active part in online meetings to demonstrate competence and develops competence by giving and receiving feedback

Qualifications

English language skill level B2
https://rm.coe.int/CoERMPublicCommonSearchServices/DisplayDCTMContent?documentId=090000168045bb52