E-Learning for Culturally Diverse Populations

E-Education reaches culturally diverse populations. Culture has an impact on the way students interact with other individuals in the course, the course materials, and the technology.

Courseware can be developed for learners within a community, a country, or the world. Cultures within each of these regions may vary widely. It is imperative to conduct a needs analysis of the target audience before designing courseware. Learners have various skills, abilities and language needs. In an interactive course session, students may need encouragement to ask questions and disagree with the opinions of others. For example in many cultures it is rude to disagree with the instructor and it is appropriate to remain quiet in the face-to-face or e-Learning classroom.

When writing for global audiences, write clear and concise sentences. Avoid jargon and the use of idioms when possible when writing for global audiences. For example:

Use practical instead of hands-on
Use as needed rather than just-in-time
Use refresher instead of brush-up
Use as quickly instead of just as soon
Use in addition to instead of as well as

Eliminate cultural references. For example these words, abbreviations and terms may not be understood globally:

Mailbox
SUV (sports utility vehicle)
Touch base with you (American sports)
Grades K-12 (American education)
Television shows from various countries
References to foods unique to a country

Avoid using humor if the global audience would not understand the joke. Other items to address include:

Does gender affect expectations about what people may or may not do, or who may or may not speak, and when
How well respected is education and experience in the culture
How much respect is accorded to age in the culture
How is physical size and weight regarded in culture
Does the culture value individualism or is the orientation toward families and groups
What laws, rules, regulations apply
Express measurements, dates, and times universally
Provide metric equivalents when giving U.S. measurements 8 inches (20.32cm)
Write out the complete date (2/5/2006 could indicate February 5, 2006 or May 2, 2006)
Include the time zone arranging an online meeting
Write 24 hours per day, seven days per week instead of 24/7
Group activities may take longer in high task-oriented cultures because group members may seek consensus
Be aware participants in cultures with low individualism may falsely agree to statements because they aim to please
Remember, people interact with the hardware, the software, the process, and each other
Learn the technology skill level of the students and instructor and provide tutorials when necessary