Cultural Features of e-Learning A Euro-Asian Case Study

Cultural values have a major influence on learning. For learning to be effective, it must be adapted to the cultural context in which it takes place. e-Learning neither eliminates cultural differences nor is it culture free. The qualitative and quantitative findings of this study show two very distinct learning patterns. East Asian participants represent a high-context emphasis. South Asians and Europeans indicate a demonstrably low-context style of learning. The qualitative findings provide evidence that cultural features do have an impact on e-learning behaviors. European participants tend to be individualistic, achievement oriented, and emphasize learning by induction. South Asians reveal high power distance and also an achievement orientation. East Asians also demonstrate high power distance as indicated by a teacher-centric focus. They emphasize affiliation and avoid high uncertainty in learning situations. East Asians tend to prefer theory as the starting point for analysis. The quantitative analysis shows significant differences between the regional groups. East Asians are significantly more involved and active in e-learning than their peers in Europe and South Asia. This suggests that the high-context learning culture has a positive influence on e-learning involvement.