The Innovation Plan: A Comprehensive Platform for Teaching Social English Skills and Cultural Awareness to International Students
Allison Parsons
Lamar University
April 21, 2023
Abstract:
This innovation plan proposes the creation of a comprehensive platform for teaching social English skills and cultural awareness to international students studying in the United States. The platform will utilize adaptive learning technology and incorporate gamification elements to increase engagement and retention. The influencer model, social media, and user-generated content will be employed to effectively promote the platform and encourage its use among students. The proposed innovation plan is supported by peer-reviewed research that highlights the importance of effective communication in a multicultural environment for academic success.
Keywords: international students, social English skills, cultural awareness, adaptive learning technology, gamification, influencer model, social media, user-generated content, academic success.
The innovation plan proposed for the learning environment is to create a platform that facilitates the learning of commonly used English language skills beyond the scope of academia, specifically those that pertain to social communication in the United States. This platform will focus on teaching social English skills such as idioms, slang, vocabulary for everyday activities, pace of speech, and accents by region, with the objective of preparing students who have immigrated or studied in the United States to communicate effectively in social environments. This proposed innovation plan is supported by peer-reviewed research that highlights the importance of effective communication in a multicultural environment for academic success (Tian & Lowe, 2019).
Effective communication is vital for success in both academic and social settings. According to research conducted by Tian and Lowe (2019), effective communication skills, including social English skills, are crucial for international students to excel in academic environments. In addition, social English skills play a significant role in helping international students adapt and thrive in their new social environments. The proposed platform aims to address this gap in learning by providing a comprehensive learning environment that not only focuses on academic English but also emphasizes the importance of social communication skills.
Furthermore, the platform could also incorporate cultural awareness training to help students understand the nuances of communication and behavior in different social settings. Understanding cultural norms and practices is an essential aspect of effective communication in multicultural environments. This approach could help prepare international students for the social and cultural aspects of living and studying in the United States, thereby improving their overall experience and academic success.
To ensure the success of this innovation plan, the platform could also utilize adaptive learning technology that tailors the learning experience to each student’s individual needs and learning style. This approach can increase engagement, motivation, and learning outcomes among students.
Overall, the proposed innovation plan aims to enhance the learning experience of international students in the United States by providing a comprehensive learning platform that emphasizes the importance of social English skills and cultural awareness. This approach could ultimately improve academic success and help students feel more confident and prepared for life in a multicultural environment.
To implement this innovation plan effectively, an influencer model will be employed. The strategy is to identify and collaborate with influential individuals in the education industry, such as professors or English language experts, to promote the platform and encourage its use among students. These influencers will help to build credibility and trust in the platform and attract more students to use it. This approach is in line with the finding of a peer-reviewed study that underscores the role of opinion leaders and influencers in shaping behavior (Asch, 1956).
The influencer model has been gaining popularity in recent years due to its effectiveness in driving behavior change. According to research, influencers can have a significant impact on shaping attitudes and behaviors, particularly among younger generations (Brown & Reingen, 1987). By employing the influencer model in the implementation of this innovation plan, the platform could gain widespread acceptance among students and educators alike.
In addition to identifying influential individuals, the platform could also leverage social media platforms to reach a broader audience. Social media has emerged as a powerful tool for promoting products and services and can be particularly effective in reaching younger audiences. By leveraging social media influencers, the platform could potentially reach thousands of students and educators, increasing its visibility and ultimately driving adoption.
Moreover, the platform could also incorporate gamification elements to increase engagement and retention. Gamification refers to the use of game design elements in non-game contexts, such as education. Research has shown that gamification can significantly increase student engagement, motivation, and learning outcomes (Dicheva et al., 2015). By incorporating gamification elements, such as rewards, leaderboards, and badges, the platform could create a more engaging and interactive learning environment, making it more attractive to students.
Overall, the influencer model, social media, and gamification are powerful tools that can be used to effectively promote the platform and encourage its use among students. By leveraging these tools and incorporating the latest research in education, the platform could become a valuable resource for international students seeking to improve their social English skills and cultural awareness.
Additionally, the use of peer influencers who have successfully navigated the language barrier when studying in the United States will be leveraged. These students will share their experiences of how the platform helped them communicate effectively in social environments, thus providing social proof to potential users. This is supported by the finding of a peer-reviewed study that highlights the persuasive power of social proof in influencing behavior (Cialdini, 1993).
Leveraging peer influencers who have successfully navigated the language barrier when studying in the United States can be a highly effective way to promote the platform. Peer influencers are individuals who share similar backgrounds and experiences with the target audience and can serve as role models or mentors. By sharing their experiences of how the platform helped them overcome language barriers and communicate effectively in social environments, these peer influencers can provide social proof to potential users, making them more likely to try the platform.
Moreover, peer influencers can also provide valuable feedback on the platform’s effectiveness and suggest improvements that can make it more appealing to students. By engaging with peer influencers, the platform can foster a sense of community and create a space for students to share their experiences and support one another.
Additionally, the platform could incorporate user-generated content to increase engagement and foster a sense of ownership among users. User-generated content refers to content that is created by users, such as reviews, testimonials, or social media posts. By encouraging users to create and share content related to the platform, the platform can increase its visibility and build trust and credibility among potential users.
Overall, the use of peer influencers and user-generated content can be a highly effective way to promote the platform and encourage its use among students. By creating a sense of community and fostering engagement, the platform can become a valuable resource for international students seeking to improve their social English skills and cultural awareness.
To execute this plan, the 4DX model will be employed. The model involves the identification of a Wildly Important Goal (WIG), which, for this plan, is to have 80% of students who use the platform report an improvement in their ability to communicate in social environments. Lead measures, such as the number of platform users, the number of videos viewed, and the number of positive reviews and feedback received, will be used to track progress towards the WIG. Weekly reviews will be conducted to ensure accountability and progress towards the WIG and lead measures. A scoreboard that tracks progress towards the WIG and lead measures will be created and updated regularly. The proposed 4DX model aligns with the findings of a peer-reviewed study that shows that goal setting enhances performance (Locke & Latham, 2019).
The 4DX model is a powerful tool for executing the innovation plan effectively. By identifying a Wildly Important Goal (WIG) and lead measures, the platform can focus on achieving specific outcomes and track progress towards those outcomes. This approach can help to ensure accountability and motivate users to engage with the platform (McChesney, Covey, & Huling, 2012).
Moreover, the 4DX model can also help to prioritize activities and resources to maximize impact. By focusing on lead measures, such as the number of platform users and positive reviews, the platform can identify areas that require improvement and make necessary adjustments to improve performance. Weekly reviews can also help to identify potential roadblocks or areas that require additional attention, enabling the platform to take corrective action quickly.
The use of a scoreboard can also enhance motivation and create a sense of urgency among users. By tracking progress towards the WIG and lead measures, users can see the impact of their actions and feel a sense of ownership in the platform’s success (McChesney et al., 2012).
Overall, the 4DX model can be a highly effective way to execute the innovation plan and achieve the desired outcomes. By aligning with the latest research on goal setting and performance, the platform can create a results-oriented culture that fosters continuous improvement and innovation.
In conclusion, the proposed innovation plan, supported by peer-reviewed research, seeks to enhance the communication skills of students in social environments. The use of the influencer model and the 4DX model will ensure successful implementation and accountability. By executing this plan, it is anticipated that students who have immigrated or studied in the United States will be better prepared to communicate effectively, thus fostering a more conducive learning environment.
To further support the importance of the proposed innovation plan, it is worth noting that effective communication is a crucial component of success in various aspects of life. A study by Kniffin et al. (2016) found that teams with higher levels of communication and socialization had better performance outcomes than those with lower levels. Similarly, another study by Baker, Krokos, and Amiel (2018) highlighted the importance of social English skills in academic settings, particularly for international students who may struggle with adapting to new cultural norms.
Thus, the proposed innovation plan not only seeks to improve students’ social communication skills but also has the potential to positively impact their overall academic and professional success. By leveraging peer-reviewed research, the influencer model, and the 4DX model, the plan is designed to be both evidence-based and results-driven, providing students with the tools they need to succeed in a multicultural environment.
References
Asch, S. E. (1956). Studies of independence and conformity: A minority of one against a unanimous majority. Psychological Monographs: General and Applied, 70(9), 1-70. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0093718
Brown, J. J., & Reingen, P. H. (1987). Social ties and word-of-mouth referral behavior. Journal of Consumer Research, 14(3), 350-362. https://doi.org/10.1086/209118
Cialdini, R. B. (1993). Influence: The psychology of persuasion. HarperCollins.
Dicheva, D., Dichev, C., Agre, G., & Angelova, G. (2015). Gamification in education: A systematic mapping study. Journal of Educational Technology & Society, 18(3), 75-88.
Tian, M., & Lowe, J. (2019). Communication and academic success: Perceptions and experiences of Chinese international students in the United States. Journal of International Students, 9(1), 176-197. https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v9i1.1047