Considering cultural variables in the instructional design process: A knowledge-based advisor system

Abstract

This article presents research works in which a cultural adaptation method and a knowledge-based advisor to help instructional designers in considering cultural variables during the instructional design process have been developed. To do so, a conceptual model of Culture was elaborated, cultural variables were identified and knowledge regarding these variables was modeled via an ontology that served to create the “Cultural Diversity” knowledge base integrating knowledge regarding five cultures. The advisor tool uses this knowledge to advise instructional designers on how to adapt a pedagogical scenario to a culture other than their own or for learners with a culture that is different from the one for which a pedagogical scenario was originally designed. The methodology used is Design-Based Research (DBR) and contains five iterations.