The potential of a mobile group blog to support cultural learning among overseas students

Shao, Yinjuan; Crook, Charles

Abstract

We explored the use of mobile social software, in the form of a mobile group blog, to assist cultural learning. The potential of using this technology for cultural adaptation among overseas students was examined as those students adapted to the everyday life of studying abroad. Two pilot studies and a successful field study of a mobile group blog as used by UK overseas students are reported. A further study with prospective overseas students witnessing this ‘moblogging’ in China revealed the advantages of communicating through this technology as a form of peer-supported preparation for cultural adaptation. Potential advantages for learning a second language via this system, were highlighted as communication was interweaved with cultural adaptation and exercised in the blog entries. Given mobile internet, the language experience together with cultural observation impressively supported these students' growing confidence with time, space and imagination.

Citation

Shao, Y., & Crook, C. (2015). The potential of a mobile group blog to support cultural learning among overseas students. Journal of Studies in International Education, 19(5), https://doi.org/10.1177/1028315315574101

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 24, 2015
• Online Publication Date: Mar 17, 2015
• Publication Date: Nov 1, 2015
• Deposit Date: Apr 7, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 7, 2016
• Journal: Journal of Studies in International Education
• Print ISSN: 1028-3153
• Electronic ISSN: 1552-7808
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 19
• Issue: 5
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1028315315574101
• Keywords: mobile group blog, remote context, overseas students, cultural and language learning
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/981548
• Publisher URL: http://jsi.sagepub.com/content/19/5/399