Wise Practices and Intercultural Understandings: A Framework for Educator Videoconferencing

Abstract

Educators utilize videoconferencing services for a variety of purposes in their classrooms, including offering a means to connect and learn with people of different cultures, geographies, and experiences. However, there has been little research into how educators use videoconferencing in their classrooms. Drawing on technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) and intercultural pedagogies, we report and analyze findings from a survey of 117 videoconferencing educators. These educators reported possibilities and challenges for using videoconferencing, particularly for intercultural experiences. We offer a framework for videoconferencing in education drawn from the wisdom of videoconferencing educators and consider implications future teaching and research.

Keywords::

• citizenship education
• educational technology
• intercultural competence
• global citizenship education
• videoconferencing

Acknowledgment

We thank Brett Stamm of the University of North Texas for his deligent assistance with tables, graphs, and quantitative analysis.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Daniel G. Krutka

Daniel G. Krutka is a citizen, protected bike lane advocate, and Assistant Professor of Social Studies Education at the University of North Texas. His research and teaching center on interrogating technoethical and social implications of social media and technologies. He hosts the Visions of Education podcast and tweets at @dankrutka. Please address correspondence regarding this article to Daniel G. Krutka, Teacher Education and Administration, University of North Texas, 1300 W. Highland St., Denton, TX 76203-1277, USA. E-mail: [email protected]

Kenneth T. Carano

Kenneth T. Carano is an avid traveler, recovering settler colonialist, and Associate Professor of Social Studies Education at Western Oregon University. His scholarship interests include instructing from a social justice framework so students may develop empathy and become critically literate in our interconnected world. He responds to tweets at @caranowou.

Leigh Cassell

Leigh Cassell is an educator, adventurer, entrepreneur, and partner in learning with teachers, students, businesses and NGOs around the world. She is Founder and CEO at Digital Human Library. Her education work focuses on helping students build relationships for learning by leveraging digital, developing global competencies and designing new literacies.

Melissa Lavoie

Melissa Lavoie is a graduate student at UBC’s Master of Educational Technology program and an Ontario Certified Teacher currently employed as a GIS-Education Specialist. She founded Walk With Us Project ©, partnered with Google Earth Outreach, and is VP on the Digital Human Library’s Board of Directors.

Karin Davidson-Taylor

Karin Davidson-Taylor is a naturalist, monarch enthusiast, educator, and Digital Human Library Board Member. Since 2006, she has developed and delivered award-winning interactive distance learning programs at Royal Botanical Gardens, Canada, connecting with teachers and students globally. She aims to inspire awareness of our connection to plants, place, and biodiversity.