Cultural Environment Research Articles

Interculturality in the Practice of Experiential Rural Tourism in a Community in the Peruvian Andes

The practice of experiential rural tourism involves the active participation of the local population, promoting cultural exchange between visitors and residents, generating intercultural relations that occur in the town of Ccotos located in the district of Capachica, in the region of Puno. The objective of the research was to analyze the intercultural relationships that are established between local inhabitants and tourists within the framework of the development and experiences of the practice of experiential rural tourism. The elements studied include communication, mutual respect, socio-economic growth, cultural authenticity, shared cultural customs, reciprocity, appreciation of cultural identity and environment; in addition to the perceptions and experiences of visitors and local inhabitants, as well as the challenges and possibilities that emerge from these interactions. The methodology used the qualitative approach and the techniques applied were in-depth interviews with the local population and tourists, direct observation of the practice of this activity and content analysis. The results revealed the complexity of intercultural relations in experiential rural tourism, highlighting the importance of a participatory and collaborative approach to guarantee equity, mutual respect and long-term sustainability that are generated in the meaningful interactions that occur between tourists and residents, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and mutual understanding becoming consolidated as intercultural relations.

Beyond Digital Literacy: Exploring Factors Affecting Digital Performance of University Staff

Digital literacy is essential but doesn’t guarantee digital performance. Many researchers consider factors such as attitude, cultural environment, or institutional setting in their frameworks when researching digital literacy. Yet, their significance often gets lost in a catalog of required skills and knowledge. Here we develop a model outlining factors influencing university personnel’s digital performance across diverse tasks, and we discuss associated challenges. The model derives from literature and insights from 20 qualitative interviews with academic staff in teaching, research, or consulting roles. Results show that institutional settings and employee empowerment are pivotal in shaping openness to digital tools. Intentions fail due to resource constraints and lack of recognition, leading to limited experience with digital opportunities. Well-being significantly influences willingness to embrace digital resources amidst the balancing act of anticipating future efficiency against investing time and resources. Maintaining a team atmosphere often results in alignment with the least digitally competent. With appropriate conditions, time resources, and support, staff could efficiently utilize digital resources, even with only basic skills, which fosters the integration of all workforces. We argue for comprehensive assessments of university employees’ digital performances, considering context and holistic aspects beyond personal skills and knowledge. Our model encompasses digital literacy, openness to digital developments, digital culture, primary conditions, services/empowerment offerings, and mindfulness.

Pathways to educational integration: affordances and constraints on migrant children's participation in Swedish preschool teaching activities

ABSTRACT This study explores the integration of newly arrived migrant children in Swedish preschools, focusing on their participation in teaching activities. The research is part of a larger project examining how these children, who experience a double transition into both a new cultural and educational environment, become integrated into early childhood education and care (ECEC). The study investigates how different teaching activities either facilitate or constrain migrant children’s democratic participation. The research was conducted in two rural preschools with predominantly Swedish-speaking children and practitioners. The findings reveal that migrant children are more engaged during musical and physical activities, which rely less on verbal communication, compared to linguistically based activities. Teacher-controlled events, which consistently link language with resources, help maintain migrant children’s attention, while dialogic teaching practices often result in their disengagement. The study highlights the importance of structured and inclusive teaching practices to support the educational integration of migrant children.

Understanding the Impact of Social and Facilitating Factors on Drone Adoption in the Takaful Sector of Malaysia and Indonesia

The takaful industry, a sector that is guided by Shariah-compliant principles, is progressively investigating cutting-edge technologies to improve service delivery and operational efficiency. This study investigates the influence of social factors and facilitating conditions on the intention to adopt drone technology within the Takaful sector in Malaysia and Indonesia. A quantitative research design was employed, with data collected from 68 Takaful professionals. The results were analyzed using correlation and regression techniques. The findings revealed that social influence and facilitating conditions significantly impact behavior intention, while performance and effort expectancy were found to be less important. Additionally, the study integrates Maqasid Shariah principles, ensuring that the adoption of drone technology aligns with Islamic ethical considerations. The study also urges more investigation to investigate the generalisability of these results over many cultural and legal environments as well as the possible impact of developing technologies like artificial intelligence and blockchain on the sector.

A Study of the Mechanisms of Government Embedment and Organizational Environment Related to Supervisory Effectiveness in the Collective Governance of Rural Residential Land

Rural Residential Land is a kind of public pond resource, and the implementation of the collective governance of Rural Residential Land is a response to the dilemma of utilizing the land. This paper takes the attribute of using Rural Residential Land as a public pond resource as an entry point, draws on Autonomous Governance Theory, and utilizes the OLS model and the mediated effect model to explore the influence of Government Embedment on supervisory effectiveness in the collective governance of Rural Residential Land, based on the fieldwork data of 450 farming households in three districts (cities and counties) in Sichuan Province. This study shows that Government Embedment, the Technological Environment and the Cultural Environment can significantly enhance supervisory effectiveness in the collective governance of Rural Residential Land, while the Resource Environment has a negative effect on it. The Resource Environment has a masking effect on the influence of Government Embedment on supervisory effectiveness in the collective governance of Rural Residential Land, while the Technological Environment and the Cultural Environment play a part in the mediating effect. The anonymous whistleblowing mechanism positively moderates the influence of the Technological and Cultural Environments on supervisory effectiveness. Additionally, there is obvious locational heterogeneity in the influence of Government Embedment and the Organizational Environment on supervisory effectiveness. Therefore, a coordinated supervision and sanctioning mechanism should be constructed in towns and villages to promote the integration and complementarity of formal and informal systems; a sound mechanism for anonymous reporting of illegal and irregular use of Rural Residential Land should be established; and the effective implementation of the collective governance of Rural Residential Land should be promoted in accordance with the differences in the location of the villages.

Edible Insects: Consumption, Perceptions, Culture and Tradition Among Adult Citizens from 14 Countries.

Although edible insects (EIs) are encouraged as a sustainable source of protein, their consumption is not as generalised as other types of food that are internationally accepted. While in some regions of the world, EIs are part of the gastronomic and cultural traditions, in other regions, people are not so receptive to this type of food, and some people even express some disgust towards it. Hence, this research focused on the habits of the participants regarding the consumption of insects as well as their perceptions about EIs being or not a part of the local culture or gastronomic patrimony. A questionnaire survey was implemented in fourteen countries (Brazil, Croatia, Greece, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Mexico, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, and Turkey), and globally, 7222 adult participants responded to the questionnaire. SPSS software (version 28) was used to process the data and carry out chi-square tests and Factor Analyses (FA). The obtained results showed significant differences between countries for all the questions included in the survey, either those regarding the habits of the participants or their opinions about the facts linked with EI tradition or cultural aspects. It was found that participants from Mexico consume EIs more than in all other countries and that strong motivations that would lead to consumption among those who do not consume include curiosity and food shortage. The solution obtained with FA considering the ten statements of the scale consisted of two factors: F1-Culture and Tradition of EIs (α = 0.675) and F2-Acceptance of EIs (α = 0.614). In conclusion, the consumption of EIs and the perceptions of people are highly variable according to geographic location and cultural environment.

Enhancing Cross-Cultural Understanding: The Role of Digital Platforms in Cultural Exchange for Chinese Graduate Students at Northwestern University

The rapid growth of digital platforms has reshaped the educational-rich landscape, introducing dynamic ways of cultural exchange that transcend traditional boundaries. This paper explores the unique potential of online cultural exchange to promote cross-cultural understanding and community building for students, with a special focus on Chinese graduate students in Northwestern University during their short spring break. As global connectivity increases, it becomes increasingly important to leverage these digital tools to facilitate meaningful cultural interactions. This study argues that social media platforms play a key role in this effort, enabling students to engage in cultural exchange activities that are both convenient and impactful (Abbas et al., 2019). Integrating digital tools into educational and cultural environments has revolutionized the way students interact with different cultural experiences. Social media platforms, in particular, offer unparalleled opportunities for students to connect with peers from different cultures, share knowledge and engage in collaborative activities. These platforms provide a flexible and accessible means for students to immerse themselves in cultural learning outside of geographical constraints. Moreover, the interactivity of social media fosters a sense of community and common purpose, which is essential for successful cultural exchange programs. While there are many advantages to using social media for cultural communication, there are also significant challenges that need to be addressed. The potential for distraction, information overload, and reduced face-to-face interaction could undermine the effectiveness of these platforms in educational Settings. In addition, given the differences in social media usage patterns among different demographic groups, such as gender differences, it is critical to ensure that programs are inclusive and effective. This article aims to explore these complexities and offer solutions to maximize the benefits of social media while mitigating its drawbacks.

Principles of Teachers’ Multicultural Competences Development in the Art Cycle Disciplines

Multicultural competencies in education refer to the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that enable teachers to effectively engage with students from diverse cultural backgrounds. In the context of art cycle disciplines, these competencies are particularly significant because art, in its various forms, is a powerful medium for expressing cultural identities, values, and traditions. Educators with strong multicultural competencies can help students appreciate and understand the rich tapestry of global cultures, fostering respect and empathy in the classroom. The article aims to determine the methodological principles of the development of multicultural competencies of teachers in the disciplines of the art cycle, how to develop multicultural competencies for students in the modern world, and prepare them for practical activities in the future. The methodology involves a systematic approach, which provides: a comprehensive literature review, defining research questions and hypotheses; outlines the general strategy of the research; an in-depth analysis of individual practices of developing the multicultural competence for teachers in the disciplines of the art cycle oriented to international/global projects such as "One Belt, One Road"; selection of successful practices for imitation and adoption (implementation); data analysis; conclusions and recommendations. Results. Art cycle disciplines explore the role of culture in personality development, emphasising the need for the constant development of students’ worldviews and the search for methods to prepare for multicultural competence development. By prioritising students’ perspectives and taking into account changes in the cultural environment, teachers can develop cultural sensitivity, a cornerstone of multicultural competencies. Conclusions. International experience and individual practices show that the following activities can be very effective: in-service workshops and professional development seminars specifically focused on multicultural education; creating learning communities where teachers and stakeholders (potential employers) can share their experiences, resources and strategies; encouraging teachers to use interdisciplinary approaches; participation in cultural immersion programs can significantly improve teachers’ understanding of different cultures; encouraging teachers to reflective practice and self-assessment; methodical support for curriculum development, which includes various cultural perspectives, etc.

Physician development through interprofessional workplace interactions: A critical review.

Increasingly, medical training aims to develop physicians who are competent collaborators. Although interprofessional interactions are inevitable elements of medical trainees' workplace learning experiences, the existing literature lacks a cohesive model to conceptualise the learning potential residing in these interactions. We conducted a critical review of the health professions and related educational literatures to generate an empirically and theoretically informed description of medical trainees' workplace interactions with other health professionals, including learning mechanisms and outcomes. Informed by Teunissen's conceptualisation of workplace learning, we highlight the individual, social and situated dimensions of learning from interprofessional workplace interactions. Workplace interactions between medical trainees and other health professionals tend to be brief, spontaneous, informal and often implicit without the predefined educational goals and roles that structure trainees' relationships with physician supervisors. Yet they hold potential for developing trainees' knowledge and skills germane to the work of a physician as well as building their capacity for collaboration. Our review identified a spectrum of learning theories helpful for examining what and how trainees learn from these interactions. Self-regulated learning theories focus attention on how learning depends on trainees interpreting and judging the cues offered by other health professionals. Sociocultural frameworks including the zone of proximal development and legitimate peripheral participation emphasise the ways other health professionals support trainees in performing tasks at the border of their abilities and facilitate trainees' participation in clinical work. Both the landscapes of practice theory and cultural historical activity theory highlight the influence of surrounding social, cultural and material environments. These theories are unified into cohesive model and demonstrated through an illustrative example. Interprofessional workplace interactions harbour a range of learning opportunities for medical trainees. Capitalising on their potential can contribute to training collaborative practice-ready physicians alongside traditional intra-professional interactions between physicians and merits future research.

المعنى المشترك وجماليات الخطاب في التصميم الداخلي

Designers seek to create a design product that is dialogic and communicative with the largest number of segments of society, with visual formations that prepare for a spatial environment that is distinguished by intellectual richness and seeks to communicate with minds. Then, the design represents a visual discourse that influences the recipient, as an intentional message that reaches his imagination with its idea, including the aesthetic meanings inherent in it, and what its intellectual and semantic content carries, the aim of which is to reach a common meaning between the designer and the recipient so that the designer can lead the recipient's behavior according to the ideas presented by the design. Therefore, the research problem was formulated with the following question: "Is interior design concerned with visual formations to highlight formal values that aim to improve the aesthetic taste through the visual reception system of the recipient only, or is it an ideology that indicates that these formations are more than just what the eye sees because of their connection to the shared latent meaning between the designer and the recipient, which is reflected in the nature of collective behavior?" The research aimed to "reveal the data of the aesthetic image of the formal discourse by translating the latter into an internal space that gives the recipient interpretations that are in harmony with what the designer is going for as a directed message with intent and meaning." The research came out with a set of conclusions, the most important of which are: The design product constitutes a message with a clear meaning when it is a reflection of the social, cultural, material and geographical environment of the design context through the aesthetic formations of the design discourse, and that the reception mechanism is not destined to succeed unless the designer has a specific idea that reflects the privacy of society and the identity of the place through what the design broadcasts in order to obtain a clear and easy response from the recipient and decipher the symbols of the discourse and enjoy its connotations and goals.

Integration of Digital Repositories and Spatial Design within the Metaverse: the Evaluation of Features and Narratives to set Learning Environments on Cultural Heritage

Abstract. The Metaverse is rapidly advancing across cultural, professional, and service sectors, enhancing data compatibility and interaction. Its architectural design supports both visual interaction and information layers, characterising an ideal platform for the promotion of Digital Heritage. The digitisation of Cultural Heritage and the creation of Digital Repositories find complementarity in the Metaverse, which enables social interactions between Digital Heritage contents and virtual communities. This integration is pivotal for developing Learning Environments, where accessible virtual products can be combined with original digital storytelling and narratives.The paper presents methods and results from an Erasmus+ international school, which focused on using digital communication and 3D modelling tools to create immersive narratives on Mediterranean architectural modernity. Students from various Cultural Heritage disciplines designed virtual exhibitions within the Metaverse platform Spatial and open repository materials. The research concentrated on the application of Metaverse platforms for their spatial design and educational utility within the Heritage sector. The activities included developing digital narratives and interactive exhibitions enriched with multimedia data from digital repositories. The study discusses the limitations of customising visual materials, the importance of repository connections, user experience design, and the potential for future developments in Metaverse applications for Cultural Heritage learning environments and storytelling.

Social Media as a Tool for Cultural Preservation among Diaspora Communities

Social media has become a vital tool for diaspora groups to preserve their cultural legacy in an globally connected world. This study examines how distributed communities preserve and spread their cultural customs, languages, and practices through the use of digital media. It looks at how diaspora communities use social media to maintain their cultural identities and cultural heritage via particular case studies. The study highlights how social media may effectively promote cross-cultural communication, facilitate in the development of communities, and help close the gap between the old and new worlds. The study's findings provide understanding on the dynamics of cultural preservation in the digital era and the ways in which social media might promote a variety of cultural environments throughout the world.

Genius loci of the city of Padua in the context of Slovak travelogues of the 19th century

The authors’ decision to “read” and semiotically analyse the city’s text based on travelogues stems from their aesthetic, historical and informational value, the possibility of incorporating them “into the network” of other texts about Padua, thus shaping city image. The authors’ research on Slovak literature and culture also determined the choice. As a time frame, the nineteenth century is not accidental; the Slovak cultural environment (the territory of present-day Slovakia) witnessed the development of the travelogue genre and journeys to Italy. By interpreting and semiotic analysis of the selected authors’ travelogues and works, the paper draws attention to the uniqueness of Padua, the ways of its representation and the grasping of the urban space, which until now despite its importance in education, sciences and art has remained unnoticed in literary studies. Considering that only four Slovak travellers included Padua in their writings during the studied period, all of their works were reviewed to uncover their texts’ semantic potential. Interpretive immersions thus reflect the experiential reception of the author’s city image and perceiving its architectural structure. Through this, the authors develop a network of texts about Padua and support the typological classification according to its specific function or image. This paper articulates a variant of the Slovak phenomenon of Italian travel and a view of the meanings associated with urban spaces and places. It reflects the importance of travel writing for understanding the (literary) cityscape and its transformations and opens space for further research on the subject.

People in relationally mobile cultures report higher well-being.

In cultures with high relational mobility, relationships are free and flexible. People can make new friends easily, and they have the freedom to leave unsatisfying relationships. In cultures with low relational mobility, relationships are more fixed, and people have less freedom to leave relationships. We argue that people experience higher well-being if they have the freedom to exit toxic relationships and find new partners easily. In Study 1, we ran a controlled comparison by testing people all within the same nation. We measured well-being and relational mobility in a representative sample of 22,669 people across China. People reported greater well-being in relationally mobile prefectures. Study 2 found this same relationship across 74,657 people in 34 cultures. Study 3 used a cross-lagged design to give more insight into the direction of the relationship. The results showed that relational mobility predicted later subjective well-being, but not the opposite direction. Overall, these data suggest the cultural environments of relational mobility make people happy. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

A Study on the Global Opportunity Program Expanding Horizons and Fostering Global Engagement

The Global Opportunity Program (GOP) represents an ambitious initiative aimed at broadening educational and professional opportunities for students through international experiences. In an increasingly interconnected world, programs like the GOP are designed to equip students with the global competencies necessary for success in a diverse and rapidly changing environment. This study explores the objectives, implementation, and impact of the GOP, focusing on how it facilitates global engagement, enhances educational outcomes, and prepares students for the complexities of a globalized workforce. In an era marked by increasing globalization and interconnectedness, the ability to navigate diverse cultural contexts and work environments is becoming ever more essential. The GOP emerges as a pivotal educational initiative designed to equip students with the global competencies necessary to thrive in a dynamic international landscape. By providing opportunities for students to engage in international study, work, and community service, the GOP aims to expand educational horizons and foster a deeper understanding of global issues.

Evolution of Flute Art: From Archaic Musical Traditions to the Present

The purpose of the work is to substantiate the evolution of pipe art as a special phenomenon from archaic musical traditions to the present. The methodology. Significant for this work were historical, analytical, musicological, and cultural methods, which were used to reveal various aspects of flute art, including its evolution, use in different cultural and social contexts, and its impact on the music culture of Ukraine. The scientific novelty of the work is determined by its analytical perspective, which represents a comprehensive view of the history and evolutionary development of pipe art from archaic musical traditions to the present. Conclusions. The presented materials reveal the evolution of pipe art and its role in the modern world of musical performance and musical genres. Attention is focused on changes in materials and construction when making a musical instrument. The advantages of the chromatic flute as a unique instrument with a wide range of performance and musical-tonal possibilities are argued. The study demonstrates the significance and relevance of flute art for contemporary cultural and musical environments, opening up new prospects for future research in musicology.

Analysis of the impact of mechanisms of integration of university science into the regional innovation system on the spatial development of the Voronezh region

Relevance. University science is the basis for the progressive development of the regions of the Russian Federation, providing new knowledge and ideas, turning knowledge into technology and accelerated development of the cultural environment. The introduction of scientific research into the educational process is necessary and important conditions for maintaining the high professional level of teachers, the formation of professional competencies, and advanced training of future specialists. In the last few years, the main economic processes have demonstrated positive dynamics, which indicates the effectiveness of the implemented strategy of socio-economic development of the region, as well as an effective policy of spatial development of the territory are key factors in achieving a positive trend in the development of the region. Minister of Science and Higher Education V.N. Falkov in April 2024 He stated the need to transform the higher education system, focusing on specialized higher education based on an interdisciplinary approach that will more effectively integrate university science into regional spatial development and the national innovation system.The purpose of the study is to determine the mechanisms of integration of university science in the spatial development of the Voronezh region through the innovation system.Objectives: to analyze the impact of the mechanisms of integration of university science on the trends of spatial development; to analyze scientific and technological development; to formulate the main conclusions about university science as part of the socio-economic system of the territory.Methodology. The general scientific methods of logical analysis, method of desk research, method of systematization, descriptive method were used in the study. Results. The study revealed the key factors that contributed to the positive dynamics of the economy of the Voronezh region and considered the mechanisms of integration of university science into the regional innovation system.Conclusions. In the realities of scientific and technological development there is a need to improve the methods of integration of university science into the regional innovation system, and recommendations related to the optimization of spatial development of the Voronezh region in order to improve the quality and attractiveness of university science on the basis of innovative aspects functioning in the region have been proposed.

The Well-Being of Doctoral Students in Education: An Ecological Systems Perspective.

This study aims to explore the factors that influence the well-being situation of doctoral students in education from a qualitative perspective and draws on the ecological systems theory as an overarching framework. A total of 18 doctoral students in education from 3 universities in Hong Kong were interviewed. In line with the ecological systems theory, individual influential factors may embed and interact with all layers of systems (i.e., the microsystem, the mesosystem, the exosystem, the macrosystem, and the chronosystem) surrounding the doctoral students that hinder or boost their well-being, respectively. These six main areas of concern were identified from a thematic analysis of participants' responses. The study highlighted several salient influential factors of doctoral students' well-being, such as coping strategies, social relations, and their living and cultural environment. An interactive effect among specific factors, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and social movements, was also identified. Findings provide theoretical insights and offer recommendations for improving doctoral students' well-being.

Impacto de los videojuegos narrativos en la percepción del patrimonio cultural: un análisis cualitativo de Assassin's Creed en estudiantes universitarios

Research on the interaction of students with educational video games that integrate elements of cultural heritage remains limited. Generally, studies focus on the mediation of educators in this interaction or on the direct analysis of the games. This has created a gap in our understanding of the meanings that students develop on their own while playing these video games. This study, based on qualitative interviews, examines the video game franchise Assassin's Creed, which recreates various historical periods and cultures through detailed narratives and settings. Participants indicated that the game offered them an immersive perspective on cultural heritage, different from the traditional educational experience in classrooms. They expressed a personal connection with non-playable characters (NPCs) and gained a more detailed and realistic understanding of the diverse perspectives in these natural, cultural, and social environments. Furthermore, they were willing to let their perceptions of cultural heritage be shaped by the game and reflected on the ethical and social implications of heritage representation in digital media. However, they showed a tendency to overlook opportunities for a more critical and in-depth analysis of these digital experiences. This highlights the need to explore strategies to foster a critical approach in the study of gaming experiences and underscores the importance of strengthening the human connection with heritage in heritage education.

Main routes and attractions of Crimea in the sphere of art tourism

This article examines the key routes and attractions of Crimea, which play a significant role in the development of art tourism on the peninsula. Crimea, with its rich historical and cultural heritage, attracts artists, writers and art lovers from all over the world. In the article, we analyze the most interesting points, such as: Bakhchisarai, Yalta, Sevastopol and Simferopol, where art galleries, museums, plein airs and cultural events are concentrated. Particular attention is paid to places of nature that inspired famous artists, as well as modern art spaces that contribute to the development of creative initiatives. During the study, we note the impact of art tourism on the economy of the region and its potential for the sustainable development of the cultural environment of Crimea. The article also includes recommendations for organizing cultural routes for tourists, taking into account the artistic context, which contributes to immersion in the unique atmosphere of Crimean art.