Second China – Immersive cultural exposure prior to in-country travel
Cross-Culture, eLearning Comments (0)
The Second China Project of the University of Florida allows training cultural awareness through an integrated 2D/3D online environment.
The 2D traditional website is used to provide cultural information. The learning modules comprise: China Facts, Business, Government, Politics, Military, Language, Society, Travel Information and Awareness. Just to give an example the Business Module includes 21 topics, e.g. Greetings/Forms of Address, Meetings, Business Cards, Seating, Gift Giving, Banquets and Mianzi-Face.
The 3D virtual environment “Second China” in Second Life on the other hand is used to help the learners to achieve internalization that leads to true cultural awareness prior to in-country travel. The learners can try a number of different activities in “Second China” activating and testing their new knowledge — including, for example, visiting an office building for a conference.
Even if simulations like “Second China” can’t replace the real life experience, however, they may be able to bridge traditional classroom and e-learning course settings and real life immersion in a cost-effective 21st century manner.
Further Information: University of Florida News, 29.10.2008, ‘Second China’ offers foreign service workers first impression, URL: http://news.ufl.edu/2008/…
Hartmut Buettner @ May 26, 2009
