Integrating Science, Education, and IT in Cross-Cultural Settings

Mr. Richard H. Nader, Director, Institute for Pacific Asia
Dr. Janie, Schielack, Associate Professor of Mathematics, and Director of the ITS Center

The research roundtable will focus on how Chinese and American cultures differentially impact IT-based science teaching and learning in K-12, higher education, and the public through on-line media. Second, the roundtable will investigate how information technology can increase involvement and access in the scientific process in communicating science across cultures, while exploring differential approaches and societal impacts. The roundtable will address the following questions: 1) How do American and Chinese cultures differentially influence the approach in the design of IT-based science education? What are the assumptions about users, needs of learners etc.? 2) How can IT-based science education incorporate cross-cultural messages to a greater effect to deliver more meaning and understanding of the universality of science and the distinctions of culture in classrooms and for a diverse, non-scientist audience? 3) How and in what ways are learning outcomes different for K-12, higher education and non-scientist publics from different socio-economic groups across Chinese and American culture when utilizing IT-based science education methods?