Impact of Cultural Differences on Students' Participation, Communication, and Learning in an Online Environment

Abstract

Being aware of cultural differences and knowing how to deal with related differences is critical for the success of online learning and training that involves learners from multiple countries and cultures. This study examines the perceived differences of participants from two different cultures on (1) students' participation behaviors; (2) students' communication styles; and (3) the impact of cultural differences on their participation, communication, and learning in an online course. Results suggest that the two groups participated equally but communicated differently in asynchronous online discussions. In addition, the overall points gained by the two groups from their weekly online discussions differed significantly which may be a result of communication styles and participation behaviors. This study has implications for designing and implementing effective online learning environments in an increasingly globalized world of online learning for researchers, instructors, designers, and students.