Reflection at the Crossroads of Cultures

Abstract

This article explores how technologies can transform the obstacles of geographical and cultural dis-tanceinto new opportunities for learning and personal growth. In particular, it focuses on the potentialbenefits of reflection in the context of cross-cultural exchange and how technology can bring thosebenefits to the classroom. Several instances of research explore the uses of technology for promotingcross-cultural contact as a way to expose students and teachers to fresh educational values and prac-tices.A consistent result is that when people experience a new culture or community or even a newclassroom, they report an increase in reflection about their identities, attributions, and responsibilities.Reflection appears as a deeply social act. Several examples highlight two social functions of reflectionin the context of cross-cultural interaction. One function is to help people decide which aspects of cul-tureto appropriate and how to adapt those aspects to their own interests. Another function is to helppeople become more receptive to the presence of different values and practices. The article concludewith a set of provisional design principles for encouraging learning through cross-cultural reflection.