An Interactive Virtual Global Cultural Course: Building a Real Time Cost Effective Global Collaborative Learning Environment

Key words: Real time virtual learning; Interactive cultural learning; Virtual collaborative environment; International experience in local classroom. Abstract: A virtual collaborative environment was created at East Carolina University, using videoconference technology via regular internet to bring students from 18 different countries, 2 at a time, to the same classroom in real time to learn about each other's culture. Students from two countries are partnered one on one,, they meet for 4-5 weeks, and submit a joint paper. Then the same process is repeated for two other countries. Lectures and student discussions are managed with predetermined topics and questions. Classes are conducted in English and reading assignments are placed on the website. Administratively all partners are independent, students pay fees and get credits at their home institution. Familiarity with technology, knowledge in cultural understanding and attitude change were assessed, only attitude changes are reported in this paper.