Understanding Cultural Diversity in Online Learning : Perspectives of College Instructors and Students

Increasing the retention, enrollment, and achievement of minority undergraduate students in online and blended learning is of paramount strategic interest, and online learning has emerged as an alternative strategy for expanding access. However, little research exists with regards to the factors that promote cultural diversity understanding among college instructors and students. This study used qualitative interviews of 30 instructors and 30 higher education students. Results revealed that the benefits of intercultural learning in digital space, issues of multiculturalism , promotion of diversity in the virtual world, cultural collaborations and challenges of cultural understandings between faculty and students. Based on the findings from this study, the authors developed an instructional model on multicultural guidelines to be used in online courses for both students and faculty.