Cultural diversity online: student engagement with learning technologies
International Journal of Educational Management
ISSN: 0951-354X
Article publication date: 26 June 2007
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this research is to focus on how students from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds encounter online learning environments, and to assess the extent to which cultural factors impact on learners' engagement with online learning.
Design/methodology/approach
The study explores how a culturally diverse cohort of students engage with the organisational, technological and pedagogical aspects of online learning depicted in Conole's (2004) “framework for e‐learning”. A total of 241 students in online learning programs in a large university in South Australia were surveyed, yielding a response rate of 65 percent.
Findings
Analysis indicated that cultural differences do have an impact on participant satisfaction with organisational and technological issues, with local respondents indicating significantly more positive perceptions than international respondents. Significant also was a reported lack of peer engagement and intercultural communication.
Research limitations/implications
First, the study was restricted to students in one large university in Australia, using one in‐house online learning system, and studying business courses. Future research could replicate the study across a range of universities and across different countries, which would enhance generalisability. In addition, researchers can expand the model used in this study, testing other variables which impact on online learning.
Practical implications
These differences in reported engagement with online learning reflect differences in students' experience of online courses as culturally inclusive, and have implications for the quality of online education. These reported experiences may be linked to the amount of communicative interaction among students.
Originality/value
The paper examined the cultural aspects of student engagement with the organisational, technological and pedagogical components of online learning. Its findings suggest a direction to improve the quality of learning for all students by constructing a culturally inclusive online learning environment.
Keywords
Citation
Hannon, J. and D'Netto, B. (2007), "Cultural diversity online: student engagement with learning technologies", International Journal of Educational Management, Vol. 21 No. 5, pp. 418-432. https://doi.org/10.1108/09513540710760192
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2007, Emerald Group Publishing Limited