Developing intercultural competence in elementary physical education: an online international collaboration between the U.S. and Japan

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to explore in-service and pre-service teachers’ experiences of conducting an online international collaboration unit, called CULTURE (the Culture Unit of Learning to Understand, Respect, and Empathize) in elementary school physical education in the U.S. and Japan. The study used a narrative research design using semi-structured interviews. The participants were 10 in-service and pre-service teachers from the two countries. A constant comparative method was used to interpret the data. Five emerged themes were: (a) Promoting cultural awareness and appreciation, (b) developing communication skills, (c) producing positive experiences for all, (d) project facilitators and barriers, and (e) applying to future professions. The CULTURE could be one of the approaches to facilitate the development of intercultural competence over time.

KEYWORDS:

• Culturally responsive pedagogy
• cultural competence
• global competence
• virtual collaboration

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Emi Tsuda

Emi Tsuda is an Assistant Professor in the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences at West Virginia University. She teaches courses in the Physical Education and Kinesiology program. Her primary line of research is content knowledge, cultural competence, and policy in physical education.

Edward B. Olsen

Edward Olsen is an Assistant Professor in the School of Health and Human Performance at Kean University. He teaches courses in the Health and Physical Education Teacher Certification Program. His research focuses on policy, pedagogy, and teacher preparation in physical education.

Masanobu Sato

Masanobu Sato is a Professor in the Faculty of Education at Bunkyo University. His research focus is group dynamics and leadership in sport teams and learning groups/communities in physical education. He is also interested in a cross-cultural comparison of teacher education programs in different countries.

James D. Wyant

James Wyant is an Assistant Professor of physical education and kinesiology in the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences at West Virginia University. Wyant's research interests include the emerging role of technology in physical education and exploring strategies to promote cultural competence in physical education teacher education.

Rio Watanabe

Rio Watanabe is a doctoral student specializing in Adapted Physical Education in the Department of Human Sciences at The Ohio State University. She has intersecting research interests in diversity, disability and social justice in physical education and sport.