ABSTRACT
Digital technology is acting as a catalyst, accelerating change and opening up ever increasing opportunities for those with access to multimedia information and communication technologies. Those of us in this privileged position have increasing access to networks of resources and people, and enriched experience through contact with diverse cultures. At the same time, digital media offer tantalizing potential to increase access to education, and to intercultural experiences, more generally, that should enhance and broaden education for all. However, it is now recognized that such potential cannot be realized without the preparation of teachers to use digital media and communication technologies effectively (UNESCO, 2002). Related professional development is also essential for those who work with educational technology, including service providers and designers of multimedia. Central to such systemic development is the preparation of tomorrow's leaders of educational technology, such that they may adopt multi-level and intercultural perspectives on the complex educational systems within which they work (Davis, 2002). This chapter describes new perspectives on inter-cultural learning that have emerged from our research and development work with senior practitioners and research students. In particular, we will focus on a transatlantic project that is working to establish cross-institutional, and cross-cultural, doctoral communities using strategies that utilize digital technology in blending face-to-face and online collaborative work with the exchange of students, faculty and staff. Consideration of this project will help us to illustrate our emerging understandings, and will provide the basis for presentation of directions for further research. A central theme in our discussion will be culture shock in web-based communities.
