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. 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 evidence exists regarding understanding of cultural diversity in online learning by instructor and students. This study examined instructors and students understanding of cultural diversity in online learning via qualitative interviews of 60 participants. Results revealed that both instructors and students agreed on the benefits of intercultural learning, issues of multiculturalism, promotion of diversity in the virtual world, cultural collaborations in online learning and challenges of cultural understandings. However, findings varied across programs. 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 instructors.