ERIC Number: EJ1476137
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025
Pages: 5
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1740-4622
EISSN: EISSN-1740-4630
Available Date: 0000-00-00
Virtual Bridges: Enhancing Intercultural Communication Courses through Narrative-Based Virtual Reality
Communication Teacher, v39 n3 p189-193 2025
In our globalized interconnected world, intercultural and interpersonal communication competencies are essential. Virtual reality (VR) narrative-based scenarios offer a unique opportunity to foster these competencies by simulating quality contact with people of different races, religions, and other identities. This activity had students meet and take the perspective of fictional dorm roommates from different cultural backgrounds. Using VR headsets, students experienced the conflict scenario in a combination of first-person and third-person perspectives. Students responded positively to this immersive activity and reflected on how the story allowed them to see the same situation from different approaches. Instructors may adapt the script from the activity to incorporate narrative-based learning experiences in their own intercultural or interpersonal communication courses. In our globalized interconnected world, intercultural and interpersonal communication competencies are essential. Virtual reality (VR) narrative-based scenarios offer a unique opportunity to foster these competencies by simulating quality contact with people of different races, religions, and other identities. This activity had students meet and take the perspective of fictional dorm roommates from different cultural backgrounds. Using VR headsets, students experienced the conflict scenario in a combination of first-person and third-person perspectives. Students responded positively to this immersive activity and reflected on how the story allowed them to see the same situation from different approaches. Instructors may adapt the script from the activity to incorporate narrative-based learning experiences in their own intercultural or interpersonal communication courses. Courses: Introduction to Intercultural Communication, Introduction to Interpersonal Communication. Objectives: Students will compare and contrast different perspectives of characters in an intercultural conflict scenario; apply the concept of facework to different cultural approaches to conflict management; evaluate the effectiveness of mediation in an intercultural conflict scenario; and relate an intercultural scenario to personal experiences. Students will compare and contrast different perspectives of characters in an intercultural conflict scenario; apply the concept of facework to different cultural approaches to conflict management; evaluate the effectiveness of mediation in an intercultural conflict scenario; and relate an intercultural scenario to personal experiences.
Descriptors: Intercultural Communication, Computer Simulation, Personal Narratives, Technology Uses in Education, Cultural Differences, Conflict Resolution, College Students, Learning Activities
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: New Mexico
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1School of Journalism and Media Studies, San Diego State University, San Diego, USA; 2School of Communication, San Diego State University, San Diego, USA