tailieunhanh - Cross-cultural challenges in web-based instruction

Web Based Instruction (WBI) possesses great potential for delivering e-learning solutions into Lower Economically Disadvantaged Countries (LEDCs) and organizations with virtual networks of employees spread across the globe. However, these e-learning solutions are not without cross-cultural challenges. In order to adequately utilize these resources, it is imperative that developers and organizations understand how to address differences in norms, preferences and values of culturally diverse individuals when designing WBI. When instruction does not effectively address student needs, users can be distracted, or even discouraged, from completing instruction and quite possibly reject the technology through which the instruction is delivered. The purpose of this paper is to present an examination of cross cultural challenges in implementing WBI, through a discussion of Hofstede’s (1980) cultural dimensions, cultural technology perceptions, language barriers and user needs. The paper concludes with a discussion the implications of WBI and future trends in WBI design. | Knowledge Management E-Learning An International Journal . 448 Cross-Cultural Challenges in Web-Based Instruction Bolanle A. Olaniran Department of Communication Studies Texas Tech University 2500 Broadway Lubbock TX 79409 USA E-mail Natasha B. Rodriguez Department of Communication Studies Texas Tech University 2500 Broadway Lubbock TX 79409 USA E-mail Indi M. Williams Mary Lou Fulton Institute Graduate School of Education Arizona State University Tempe AZ 85287-0211 USA E-mail Corresponding author Abstract Web Based Instruction WBI possesses great potential for delivering e-learning solutions into Lower Economically Disadvantaged Countries LEDCs and organizations with virtual networks of employees spread across the globe. However these e-learning solutions are not without cross-cultural challenges. In order to adequately utilize these resources it is imperative that developers and organizations understand how to address differences in norms preferences and values of culturally diverse individuals when designing WBI. When instruction does not effectively address student needs users can be distracted or even discouraged from completing instruction and quite possibly reject the technology through which the instruction is delivered. The purpose of this paper is to present an examination of cross cultural challenges in implementing WBI through a discussion of Hofstede s 1980 cultural dimensions cultural technology perceptions language barriers and user needs. The paper concludes with a discussion the implications of WBI and future trends in WBI design. Keywords Individualism Masculinity Power Distance Uncertainty Avoidance Web-Based Instruction. Biographical notes Bolanle A. Olaniran is a Professor and Interim Chair in the Department of Communication Studies at Texas Tech University. His research includes Communication technologies and Computer-Mediated Communication Organization .

• Giáo dục học
• Cross cultural challenges
• Web based instruction
• Power distance
• Uncertainty avoidance
• Future trends in WBI design