Navigating the development of pre-service teachers’ intercultural competence and understanding of diversity: The benefits of facilitating online intercultural exchange

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of online intercultural exchange (OIE) to mediate a cross-cultural project with pre-service teachers in two countries.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a population of convenience, students from one American and one German university were assigned to mixed multi-cultural project groups and collaborated outside of class to address the importance of diversity in education; two weeks later, students met face-to-face as a large group and discussed their findings. All students completed pre- and post-surveys to assess cultural preconceptions, pedagogical beliefs regarding technology-mediated instruction and globalization.

Findings

Pre- and post-surveys and reflective essays indicated that OIE reduced concerns before meeting face-to-face and the process successfully facilitated a deeper understanding of cultural diversity in education.

Research limitations/implications

Generalizing results given the limited time frame of OIE and face-to-face interactions to other populations is cautioned. Future research should investigate extended interactions.

Originality/value

These results suggest the value of OIE with these pre-service teachers as an integrated method for teaching language and culture, broadening understanding of cultural diversity, and promoting familiarity in culturally diverse settings prior to an international field experience.

Citation

Leh, J.M., Grau, M. and Guiseppe, J.A. (2015), "Navigating the development of pre-service teachers’ intercultural competence and understanding of diversity: The benefits of facilitating online intercultural exchange", Journal for Multicultural Education, Vol. 9 No. 2, pp. 98-110. https://doi.org/10.1108/JME-12-2014-0042