University ESL Learners� Cross-Cultural Transitions through Web-Based Project Work

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-35
Author(s):  
Migyu Kang ◽  
◽  
Katherine Richardson Bruna ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 530-544 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arjen van Witteloostuijn

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to argue that the time is ripe to establish a powerful tradition in Experimental International Business (IB). Probably due to what the Arjen van Witteloostuijn refers to as the external validity myth, experimental laboratory designs are underutilized in IB, which implies that the internal validity miracle of randomized experimentation goes largely unnoticed in this domain of the broader management discipline. Design/methodology/approach – In the following pages, the author explains why the author believes this implies a missed opportunity, providing arguments and examples along the way. Findings – Although an Experimental Management tradition has never really gained momentum, to the author, the lab experimental design has a very bright future in IB (and management at large). To facilitate the development of an Experimental IB tradition, initiating web-based tools would be highly instrumental. This will not only boost further progress in IB research, but will also increase the effectiveness and playfulness of IB teaching. Originality/value – Given the high potential of an Experimental IB, the Cross-Cultural and Strategic Management journal will offer a platform for such exciting and intriguing laboratory work, cumulatively contributing to the establishment of an Experimental IB tradition.


2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 499-521 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nish Belford

Drawing from a study that explored how international students experience cross-cultural transitions after living and studying in Melbourne for a few years, this paper, in particular, examines the participants' experiences with culture shock, social interaction, and friendship development. The findings include narratives of their personal stories and perspectives on social engagement and friendship ties with a particular focus on variables including cultural similarity, intercultural communication competence, intercultural friendship, and relational identity to influence their experiences.


2017 ◽  
Vol 81 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Liana Markelova

The present study aims to trace the evolution of public attitude towards the mentally challenged by means of the corpus-based analysis. The raw data comes from the two of the BYU corpora: Global Web-Based English (GloWbE) and Corpus of Historical American English (COHA). The former is comprised of 1.8 million web pages from 20 English-speaking countries (Davies/Fuchs 2015: 1) and provides an opportunity to research at a cross-cultural level, whereas the latter, containing 400 million words from more than 100,000 texts ranging from the 1810s to the 2000s (Davies 2012: 121), allows to carry on a diachronic research on the issue. To identify the difference in attitudes the collocational profiles of the terms denoting the mentally challenged were created. Having analysed them in terms of their semantic prosody one might conclude that there are certain semantic shifts that occurred due to the modern usage preferences and gradual change in public perception of everything strange, unusual and unique.


Author(s):  
Joseph George M. Lutta

For more than 40 years, cognitive psychological perspectives have dominated pedagogical frameworks and models for designing technology-mediated teaching and learning environments. Social learning perspectives are increasingly becoming viable or even desirable frames for research and practice as pertains to teaching and learning, particularly in web-based learning environments (WBLEs). The author considers these social learning perspectives and how they relate to the design and implementation of curricula that are delivered in web-based learning environments in higher education. The author further reviews the foundational theories of adult learning that enhance adult learners' experiences in cross-cultural web-based learning environments. This review and analysis of the research related to social learning perspectives on WBLEs have three implications for future research and practice: (1) examining learners' individual characteristics in WBLEs, (2) identifying strategies for promoting social interaction in WBLEs, and (3) developing effective design principles for WBLEs. The author presents recommendations for future research.


2011 ◽  
pp. 1650-1659
Author(s):  
Kam Hou Vat

Imagine attending a class where the instructor, after giving an introduction of what the course is entailed, invites you to visit the Web-based course support environment (Vat, 2001). On entering the online environment, you are offered the privilege of creating your own personal space in the form of a customizable information system (IS), guarded by your personal self-assigned identifier and password. Within the personal electronic space, you are furnished with a whole set of tools to experience your learning in the subsequent course enactment (Vat, 2000). Perhaps, you may discover that this support environment is just one of the many environments available for each course offered. Indeed, each such environment is embedded inside the course organizational space, and your personal space is designed such that once inside your own electronic space, you can manage as many courses as you want. Your personal space is like your private workspace, in which you have to perform, keep track of and manage your learning activities. More excitingly, you are given the opportunity to participate in teamwork in the course you are enrolled. This is demonstrated by the provision of possible group spaces associated with the course. Each group space is often called the course collaborative space. Consequently, in your personal space, you can have access to many course organizational spaces, and the respective collaborative spaces installed for such courses (Vat, 2004). Let us further assume that group-based project work is considered as an essential component of the course you are taking. And your instructor has just uploaded the latest information on problem-based learning (PBL) to the course organizational space for your first research assignment. Thereby, it should be worthwhile to begin exploring the context behind the IS support (Vat, 2002a, 2002b), which aims to develop in the learners their abilities to learn, to engage in collaboration, to appreciate multiple perspectives, to evaluate and to actively use and construct knowledge in such an environment.


Author(s):  
Sanne Franzen ◽  
Janne M Papma ◽  
Esther van den Berg ◽  
T Rune Nielsen

Abstract Objective The increasing ethnic diversity in the European Union (EU) calls for adaptations to neuropsychological assessment practices. The aims of this study were to examine the current state of cross-cultural neuropsychological assessment in EU-15 countries and to provide recommendations for researchers and policy makers. Method Twelve experts from nine EU-15 countries participated in a Delphi consensus study involving two sequential rounds of web-based questionnaires and an in-person consensus meeting. The experts individually rated Delphi topics on the basis of importance (scale 1–10). The degree of consensus was determined by assessing first and third quartiles (Q1 and Q3) and medians. Results Consensus outcomes showed the following priorities: (a) the development of tests (median importance rating 10, Q1-Q3: 9–10), (b) the collection of normative data (median importance rating 9, Q1-Q3: 8–10), and (c) more training, awareness, and knowledge regarding cross-cultural assessment among neuropsychologists in the EU (median importance rating 9, Q1-Q3: 8–10). Whereas memory tests were often available, tests measuring social cognition (median 9, Q1-Q3: 8–10) and language (median 9, Q1-Q3: 7–10) are particularly lacking. Recommendations were made regarding essential skills and knowledge necessary for cross-cultural neuropsychological assessment. Conclusions This study in a small group of experts suggests that the development and availability of cross-cultural tests and normative data should be prioritized, as well as the development and implementation of training initiatives. Furthermore, EU guidelines could be established for working with interpreters during neuropsychological assessment. Before implementing these recommendations, follow-up studies are recommended that include more minority neuropsychologists and community stakeholders.


Author(s):  
Andre L. Araujo

Recent advances in Web-based technologies along with investments in international outsourcing and offshore locations have unquestionably increased the importance of global virtual teams. However, because global virtual teams have their members dispersed in different countries and rely extensively on electronic communication to exchange information, complete tasks, and coordinate activities, their implementation is accompanied by challenges beyond those found in traditional teams whose members often meet face-to-face in the same cultural context. One such challenge has to do with cross-cultural collaboration. Although there is a sense that collaborative technologies offer the essential tools for supporting collaboration, it is unknown whether virtual members will actually adopt collaborative technologies in a cross-cultural setting. To gain knowledge about this potential endemic aspect of cross-cultural teamwork, one needs to examine the factors that influence the adoption of collaborative technologies in global virtual teams. Drawing on the work of organizations, cognitive theory, and information systems researchers, this study offers a framework that describes the key components underlying collaborative technology adoption in global virtual teams by integrating both social and instrumental aspects of group work.


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