How to Deliver Remote Cultural Orientation
DOWNLOAD FULL PDFIdeally, Cultural Orientation is meant to be delivered in-person and in a group setting. However, this may not always be possible. Various factors, such as a location of a refugee prior to their departure or safety and security considerations for both the Cultural Orientation provider and refugee may necessitate remote Cultural Orientation. In order to ensure refugees still receive critical Cultural Orientation messages in these instances, CORE recommends the following remote delivery approaches and tips. For guidance on delivering telephonic cultural orientation, visit CORE’s Telephonic Refugee Resettlement CO Guidance and Curriculum. In addition to the above guidance, CORE also released an effective practice, Delivering Effective Remote Cultural Orientation, which provides tips, guidance, and resources for delivering interactive and engaging remote Cultural Orientation.
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Conduct needs assessment
Slide Content
Steps to Deliver Remote Cultural Orientation (CO)
Conduct needs assessment
There are multiple approaches for delivering remote CO to refugees. In order to best determine which method might be best, CO providers should start by answering the following questions:
- What is the refugee’s literacy level?
- What is the refugee’s digital abilities?
- Does the refugee have access to a smartphone, tablet, or computer?
- Is the refugee able to access WiFi or Internet for a period of time?
- What language does the refugee speak?
Steps to Deliver Remote Cultural Orientation (CO)
Select appropriate remote CO approach
Based on the above answers, CO providers can select any number or combination of approaches to deliver remote CO, including either self-paced sessions or telephonic, virtual instructor-led online sessions. Use the below flowchart to determine the indicated CO delivery based on refugee needs in terms of language, literacy, and digital awareness and connectivity. For each of these methods, click on the list below for more guidance. When providing remote CO, It is important to ensure interpretation and properly document remote CO in accordance with cooperative agreement guidelines.
Steps to Deliver Remote Cultural Orientation (CO)
Consider the role of partners
In addition to determining the remote CO approach, Resettlement Support Centers and Resettlement Agencies also need to consider the role of partners. Partners include, but are not limited to, interpreters, volunteers, interns, community guest speakers, and other organizations, such as businesses, faith-based groups, UNHCR, or IOM. These partners can play a role in in facilitating remote CO. For example, there may be partners who can assist in securing a location for the refugee to attend CO with a stable internet connection.
Steps to Deliver Remote Cultural Orientation (CO)
Use in-person CO best practices
In delivering remote CO, providers should still employ the same best practices of in-person CO delivery in terms of methodology and resources. Specifically, adult learning principles, student-centered learning, and avoidance of cognitive overload are critical. For more guidance on these concepts, CO providers are encouraged to complete CORE’s online courses. In terms of resources, CO providers can adapt and use resources available through the CO Resource Exchange, the CORE Resettlement Navigator website, and Settle In. Providers can access more tips on utilizing the CORE Resettlement Navigator website and Settle In through CORE’s communication tools page.
Additional Remote Cultural Orientation Tools
- CORE’s Telephonic Refugee Resettlement CO Guidance and Curriculum: This resource from CORE includes guidance on structuring and delivering telephonic CO by topic and can be adapted for use in other modes of remote CO, such as instructor-led online sessions. It also includes references on incorporating CORE’s translated refugee resources.
- HIAS Virtual Communications Guide: Resource created by HIAS in collaboration with Accenture with step-by-step instructions and visuals on how to use Whatsapp on (Apple and Android) and Zoom (Apple, Android, and desktop). Translated into Arabic, Farsi, Russian, Spanish, Swahili, Ukrainian, and Urdu.
- HIAS Digital Literacy Toolkit available in Arabic, Dari, Pashto, Russian, Spanish, Swahili, Tigrinya, and Ukrainian
- USCCB How to Use a Chromebook Guide: USCCB created this guide in collaboration with an affiliate in Fort Worth, Texas. The guide contains step-by-step instructions on how to use a Chromebook and is translated into Amharic, Arabic, Burmese, Dari, Karen, Kinyarwanda, Nepali, Pashto, Spanish, Swahili, and Tigrinya.
- Switchboard’s Resource Round-up: Multilingual Tutorials on Zoom and Other Online Platforms: Provides a list of multilingual resources on how to use Google Classroom and Zoom.
- HIAS Training Youtube Channel: Introductory Chromebook Orientation videos for Newcomer Families available in English, Arabic, Tigrinya, Burmese, Dari, Kinyarwanda, Swahili, and Nepali
- IRC’s Digital Literacy Videos available in Rohingya, Spanish, Swahili, Arabic, Dari, and Burmese