Teaching in intercultural virtual environments

Abstract

This paper aims at showing results of the design of the virtual subject E-learning, carried out by using an intercultural approach based on the constructivist and socio-cognitive theories and some elements of the artistic and sociocommunicative theory. The objective is to analyze whether the design is coherent with the didactic model proposed by the professor or not. In this subject, the professor recreates didactic situations in a virtual environment, becoming a guide and a tutor of the teaching-learning process. The student becomes the center of the learning. Methodologically, esential aspects of etnographic research were considered. Some qualitative strategies, such as content analysis and interviews, were used to collect data. These were complemented by a pretest and a posttest to estimate the competences achieved by students in their educative process. Results show that the intercultural component is structured within the curriculum and helps to develop critical thinking and other students’ competences, as well as a better afectivity during the course. Research points out that the intercultural component is a key element in the curriculum of any subject specially the virtual ones where the interaction occurs among people from different cultures and contexts.