Along came a swagman: teaching Australian university curricula and methods in Southern Italy. (11th December 2009)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sofo, Francesco; Berzins, Michelle; Ammirato, Salvatore; Volpentesta, Antonio P.
• Is Part Of: International journal of innovation in education. Volume 1:Number 1(2009)
• Page Start: 51
• Page End: 66
• Publication Date: 2009-12-11
• Subjects: critical thinking -- university students -- andragogical teaching methods -- Australia -- Italy -- intercultural experiences -- cross-cultural facilitation -- culture -- higher education; Education -- Periodicals; Educational innovations -- Periodicals; 371.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1755-151X

Abstract

The development of critical thinking skills within certain individuals can be enhanced through international and intercultural experiences (Vincenti, 2001). To test this assertion the effects of exposing a group of Italian university students to a curriculum delivered in a week-long intensive format by a visiting Australian university professor were measured. A pre- and post-delivery survey on critical thinking skills found statistically significant self-reported improvements on three of the 12 items of the critical thinking inventory (Sofo, 2007). These improvements include a marked difference in perceived ability to move beyond lower-order cognitive skills such as knowing and comprehending to actively applying core and higher-order skills including the ability to identify assumptions, gain fresh perspectives and systematically explore different perspectives as part of a team. Beyond the specific items tested within the critical thinking inventory, the students also experienced cross-cultural facilitation which incorporated andragogical teaching methods with a discipline alternate to their own.