Review of Research on Technology-Supported Cross-Cultural Learning

Xueying Wang,Ting-Ting Wu,Rustam Shadiev,Yueh-Min Huang

doi:10.3390/su13031402

Xueying Wang, Ting-Ting Wu + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su13031402

Copy DOI

Abstract

Not many review studies have explored the theoretical foundation of cross-cultural learning or the curricula in the research they were reviewing. Furthermore, some review studies only superficially discussed the methodology and findings of the reviewed articles. To address these issues, we reviewed twenty-three studies on technology-supported cross-cultural learning published between 2014 and 2020. We aimed to summarize and analyze previous research in the following areas: (1) theoretical foundation, (2) curricula, (3) technologies, and (4) methodology and findings. Our results showed that the reviewed studies built their research framework based on diverse theoretical foundations; however, the most frequently used models were Byram’s model and the cultural convergence theory. Curricula had the following main focuses: (a) cross-cultural learning, (b) linguistic skills, and (c) pre-service teacher training. The most frequently used technologies were Skype, e-mail, and blogs. We found that most reviewed studies involved the collection of both qualitative and quantitative data. Finally, most of the reviewed studies reported on the role of technologies in facilitating cross-cultural learning, FL/SL learning, and pre-service teacher training. Based on our findings, several implications along with suggestions were prepared. Our findings demonstrated that results from most studies were positive regarding technological support of cross-cultural learning. Therefore, it is suggested that educators and researchers take these results into consideration when designing future studies on cross-cultural learning. Because many scholars did not report some important information, such as what theoretical foundation they built studies on or participants’ demographics, we suggest that such information needs to be included in their research articles as it can be helpful in informing future studies. We also suggest that participants in future studies use variety of technological tools for supporting communication and content creation during cross-cultural learning.

Highlights

With increasing contact among people from different parts of the world and the existence of cultural differences, both cultural conflicts and cultural integration occur.it is important to be cross-culturally competent in social encounters with people from different cultural backgrounds
In this review study on technology-supported cross-cultural learning, we aimed to address the following research questions: (1) What theoretical foundation was used in the cross-cultural studies under consideration? (2) What curricula did the cross-cultural studies use? (3) What technologies were applied in the cross-cultural studies? (4) What methodology was used in the cross-cultural studies, and what were their main findings?
We addressed the first research question “What theoretical foundation was used in the cross-cultural studies under consideration?” Table 2 and Figure 3 present the theoretical foundation of the reviewed studies on technology-supported crosscultural learning

Summary

Introduction

With increasing contact among people from different parts of the world and the existence of cultural differences, both cultural conflicts and cultural integration occur. It is important to be cross-culturally competent (i.e., to have the ability to understand and communicate effectively) in social encounters with people from different cultural backgrounds. Cross-cultural competence can be developed through education or academic interaction. Cross-cultural education attracted the attention of many researchers in the past. When educators and researchers deal with the culture-related concepts, it is important to define them first. Culture-related terms have been defined differently by many scholars. For this present review study, we refer to culture as a set of knowledge, behaviors, attitudes, thoughts, languages, traditions, etc. For this present review study, we refer to culture as a set of knowledge, behaviors, attitudes, thoughts, languages, traditions, etc. that are shared

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion