1. Intercultural Communications forStudents via the Internet:Lessons LearnedEdo ForsytheLecturer, Hirosaki Gakuin UniversityEdD Candidate, Northcentral University

2. Wiki-based Cultural ExchangeFreshman English majors with students ofJapanese in USAEach student creates own page on wiki siteUS students in Japanese; Japanese students inEnglishDiscussions based on cultural topics andintroductionsComments in L1 and L2 as appropriate 3. Personal Page Assignment:- Create Self-Introduction page- About you- Your family- Hobbies- Work- Dreams 4. Student Comments: NatsumisPage 5. Student Comments: Kaylas Page 6. Types of Comments over 3 YearsComments: n=15222%23% 55%StudentTeacherTotal Number ofEnglishWiki Pages: 372 Page Types: Cultural13Personal:24Total # of StudentResponses: 34Types of comments:Personal interests / inquiries: 83 (70%)Cultural inquiries: 86 (73%)Language correction: 1 (by a teacher)**Some overlap in comments so they were counted in each category. 7. Types of Comments over 3 YearsComments: n=10926%19% 55%StudentTeacherTotal Number ofJapaneseWiki Pages: 242 Page Types:Cultural: 7Personal:17Total # of StudentResponses: 40Types of comments:Personal interests / inquiries: 49 (45%)Cultural inquiries: 60 (55%)Language correction: 0**Some overlap in comments so they were counted in each category. 8. Problems with Implementation1. Technologically unsavvy students1. Walk them through step-by-step2. First few sessions incomputer lab2. Lack of experience in onlineinteraction1. Give specific instructions onwhat to do with whom2. Tried general topics forstudents to discuss in 1st yrmore comments but fewerresponses; person pages hadmore back & forth3. Allow conversation to developnaturally but teacher commentscan guide 9. Where can you find partners?The Mixxerwww.language-exchanges.orgePalswww.epals.comSister schools 10. What can you do with partners?Check out The Lunchbox Project for ideas:http://lunchboxproject.wikispaces.com/PLANNER 11. Where can you do exchanges? PBWiki / WikispacesOpen slate for lots of customization and synchronousinteraction Blogger / WordpressVariety of customization levels; good forasynchronous interaction Tumblr / Facebook Group or Page / Google+Hot new thing; more socially oriented & somestudents are familiar with these already 12. Discussion and QuestionsHow do your students interact online?Questions or comments?Thank you for coming!Download this presentation atwww.slideshare.net/EdoForsythe