Integrating an Online International Collaboration Into a Physical Education Teacher Education Program

Abstract

As the K-12 student population becomes increasingly diverse, developing cultural competence is essential for educators, including physical education teachers. An online international collaboration is one way to address cultural competence in higher education. The purpose of this article is to discuss steps and suggestions for integrating an online international collaboration in a PETE program. The five steps to adopting such a collaboration within a PETE program are as follows: finding a collaborator (step one), designing a program (step two), setting the scene for preservice teachers (step three), implementing the program (step four), and evaluating the program (step five). It is important to note that a one-time integration of an online international collaboration cannot be the sole solution for developing cultural competence. Developing cultural competence is a lifelong process, and an online international collaboration could provide preservice teachers with the first step to developing this important competence.