Culture in the online class: Using message analysis to look beyond nationality-based frames of reference

Abstract

Nationality-based ideas of culture are often used to examine culture in online classes but offer a restricted view by assuming that culture, in terms of personal preferences and predispositions, enters the class with the students. This article provides a worked example of how new insights may be gained by seeing culture as a process of ongoing negotiation. This negotiation is clearly seen in class interaction, which is visible online in the form of discussion board messages. © 2005 Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication.