Cross cultural comparison: the introduction of new technology with postgraduate students in Hong Kong and the United Kingdom

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Boulton, H. ORCID: 0000-0003-4671-0182, 2014. Cross cultural comparison: the introduction of new technology with postgraduate students in Hong Kong and the United Kingdom. In: K.C. Li and K.S. Yuen, eds., Emerging modes and approaches in open and flexible education. Hong Kong: Open University of Hong Kong Press, pp. 103-117. ISBN 9789888238057

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Abstract

Universities in the United Kingdom are developing collaborations with partners in the East often resulting in academic staff, with little understanding of Eastern cultures, imposing Western designed Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) and lacking consideration of the learning styles and educational experiences of Eastern students. This paper discusses how the School of Education at Nottingham Trent University (NTU), delivering a Professional Doctorate course collaboratively with a University in Hong Kong has identified and is starting to solve some of the emerging challenges. A literature search revealed no specific guidance to academics in relation to this area of practice although there is literature relating to cultural differences in learning and teaching (Hofstede, 1985), differences in personal theories of learning and constructs for international students (Brown, 2004) and challenges in studying in a second language identified by Maclean and Ransome (2005). Initial engagement with the VLE by Hong Kong students was almost non-existent. Data collected via observations of the use of the VLE by Hong Kong students through metrics available via the VLE’s software and interviews with students were carried out and analyzed thematically. Emerging themes include design and presentation of online course materials, use of images, format and layout. This paper addresses how the research impacts on the design of the VLE, the successes and challenges faced by the teaching team and how the changes made to the VLE are engaging the students.

Item Type:	Chapter in book
Creators:	Boulton, H.
Publisher:	Open University of Hong Kong Press
Place of Publication:	Hong Kong
Date:	2014
ISBN:	9789888238057
Divisions:	Schools > School of Education
Record created by:	EPrints Services
Date Added:	09 Oct 2015 09:40
Last Modified:	09 Jun 2017 13:08
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/917