Share Paper: The Potential of Social Media for Enhancing the Intercultural Development of Preservice Teachers

  1. Ming Lei, Michigan State University, United States
  2. David Wong, Michigan State University, United States
  3. Kathryn Appenzeller, Michigan State University, United States
Monday, March 6 4:35-4:55 PM Bickler

Abstract: Intercultural experiences do not always result in the development of intercultural sensitivity for preservice teachers. This study focused on how: (a) participation in intercultural experiences and self-reflections, and (b) participation in reflections with social media, were correlated to growth in the intercultural sensitivity of preservice teachers. This study tested the effect of social media use on intercultural sensitivity with a quasi-experimental design, where 188 undergraduate students in a teacher education course were randomly assigned to a control (no social media) or treatment (social media) condition. Participation in intercultural experiences was correlated with significant increases in intercultural sensitivity, but use of ...