Challenges of eLearning Localization with Synchronous eLearning
February 21, 2012
As mentioned in our previous two blogs, there are cultural limitations in asynchronous learning platforms that can inhibit the achievement of equitable learning outcomes. We first discussed the online platforms, such as Blackboard and WebCTused by many universities. Organizations use these to present content and to manage the learning function. We also discussed eLearning localization and cultural challenges in self-paced courses, which require instructional designers to emulate the 'live' environment without the presence of an instructor.
Today, we'll discuss the localization challenges in
the synchronous environment typically manifested in webinars.
Webinars are 'live' events in which the presenter can choose to
lecture to the audience or to interact with them. Examples of
webinar platforms are LiveMeeting, Webex, Vyew, etc. In addition,
we can include similar synchronous communication tools like Skype
in this category, although they are often not as robust with
respect to interactivity features. Some of the localization
challenges are similar to those found in the asynchronous
environments. For example, the content needs to be relevant,
contextualized, and in a language the targeted learners can easily
understand. Instructional approaches still need to be culturally
inclusive, which we'll revisit in this blog.
However, in webinars, we have additional challenges. First, and of greatest concern to educators, is the challenge of designing the course in a way that is inclusive for members of all cultures. Second, we want our facilitators/instructors to have highly developed cultural skills so they can effectively communicate with members of other cultures. Finally, we need to ensure that the platform is technologically accessiblein other countries.
Course Design and eLearning Localization
The features of webinar platforms inform many aspects of course design. For example, instructors typically present content in a lecture format supported by PowerPoint slides. A lecture format can be very appealing to non-native English speakers because there is limited interaction with the speaker and the PowerPoint slides can support what the speaker is saying. Thus, editing and localizing both the lecture and the slides are important cultural adaptation techniques. For more information about best practices to optimize your PowerPoint documents for translation check PowerPoint Translation.
The instructor can further engage the learners by
using polls, chat, whiteboards, or sharing (files, applications,
media, or internet sites). While polling is helpful for
gathering information, opinions, and attitudes from participants,
we recommend a cultural review to ensure clear language usage and
to avoid culturally inappropriate questions. The chat feature
provides another way to communicate with the instructor and with
classmates. The benefit of chat is that it allows non-native
English speakers to participate without speaking. The
challenge of chat is that these same participants must be able to
type well - and often, fast - in a language other than their native
one. If you've ever tried that, you know it's
difficult! Thus, we recommend several techniques for using
chat that overcomes these barriers. Whiteboards allow
instructors and participants to collaborate on drawings, lists, and
so forth. They present the same challenges encountered when
using chat. Lastly, the webinar sharing features are more
likely to create technical challenges rather than cultural ones, so
we'll discuss those below.
In contrast to the lecture approach, most webinar platforms offer many opportunities to interact and collaborate. For example, breakout rooms allow participants to work on tasks in small groups, in an electronic version of the way it's done in face-to-face classrooms. However, many learners in non-U.S. cultures will be unfamiliar with this approach and/or hesitant to participate. For example, learners from hierarchical cultures expect the instructor to be the expert and, subsequently, they do not understand the value of a typical American approach to building knowledge and skills using collaborative activities. In addition, using such activities requires concise instructions. Thus, a cultural analysis of the instructional approach can offer 'best practices' and approaches to using webinar collaboration techniques.
Cultural Competence in providing translation services
If you have ever learned a second language, you are familiar with the challenge of listening to someone speak in a non-native language. What helps us, as learners, is to be presented with simple, well-constructed language supported by gestures, tone, and inflection. In fact, if you think about it, you have probablyanalyzed the essence of a conversation in an unfamiliar language - perhaps while watching a movie - in simply by watching the gestures and registering the speakers' tone and inflection! Thus, using these in webinars contributes to the learners' understanding of your content. Unfortunately, most American instructors are unaware or forgetful of this need, especially in the online environment where one cannot see other participants! As a translation agency, we cannot control how your instructors speak, but we can edit content to ensure 'fast digestion' by non-native English speakers. We can also recommend, via a cultural analysis, how to prepare your instructors for the cross-cultural online environment.
In fact, that leads us to two other skills required
of online facilitators: the ability to detect cultural issues and
the ability to mediate communications between learners from
different cultures. An online instructor needs to recognize,
for example, that the learners in China are probably not
participating in a group activity because of cultural and language
issues; or, that the students in the United Arab Emirates were not
cheating on the final exam; instead, they were collaborating with
members of their 'in-group' to succeed. The instructor also
needs to provide opportunities for members of all cultures to
communicate their ideas. For example, American learners can
easily overpower those from Asian cultures simply because Americans
have more direct communication styles. It becomes the
instructor's responsibility to offer other venues of communication
in the webinar. With a cultural analysis, we can recommend
approaches that specifically align to your learners' cultural needs
and preferences. For more information about culture correctness and
the online consumer check out our white papers on
Website Globalization and E-Business.
Technological Concerns and professional localization services
We mentioned earlier that webinar platforms could present technological issues. These can occur domestically, but are more prevalent in an international environment. In many cases, the voice-over-IP (VOIP) provided within the webinar platform to support internet-based conversations is not supported by end-user technologies or by international infrastructure; nor is the use of webcams or streaming media. The use of phone lines often poses additional expense to the learners. You as the customer should be aware of these issues and test for them. We cannot rebuild your technology but we can advise you on using alternative techniques. In addition, if you plan to use media, we can help you design and prepare culturally appropriate versions.
Our translation and localization services include:
- Document Translation
- Multilingual Desktop Publishing Services
- Audio/Video Translation
- Software Translation
- Website Translation
- Interpretation Services
- Globalization Consulting Services
- Multilingual Website Design and Development Services
Conclusion: perspective of a localization company
From the perspective of a localization company, we can control only to a limited extent some of the challenges we discussed today. For example, we cannot control the level of cultural competence of your webinar instructors or facilitators. On the other hand, customers often bring course support materials to us, such as facilitator guides, participant workbooks, worksheets, etc. As our customer, you would benefit from a cultural analysis of those materials to mitigate any challenges related to course design before we initiate translation and localization. We are uniquely equipped to provide cultural adaptation to elearning that goes beyond looks and language - we address learning!
eLearning Localization and Translation Services
GPI, a premiere translation company, provides comprehensive localization and translation services for eLearning and training courses. Our elearning localization team will help you translate your elearning courses and presentations in all languages.
Additional resources on elearning Localization services
You may gain further insights into translation and localization
services and related topics by reviewing some previous blogs
written by GPI:
- eLearning and Localization - An Education
- The Localization Challenges of Self-Paced eLearning
- Localization challenges in translating eLearning content
- Creating Culturally Customized Content for Website Translation
- Tools to Reduce Language Translation Services Costs
You may contact GPI for translation
services requirements at info@globalizationpartners.com
or at 866-272-5874 with your specific questions about this market
and your project goals. You may also request a
complimentary Translation
Quote for your project as well.
- Category:
- eLearning
- Tags:
- elearning, Globalization, Localization, DTP, Culture
eLearning and Localization – An EducationProviding Green Translation Services! Sustainability Initiatives in the UAE
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Martin Spethman - Managing Partner
Martin has over 20 years' experience providing documentation,
software and website globalization services. Throughout his career
he has held numerous production and business development positions, including project manager, operations manager, web master, account executive, VP of sales and marketing and owner/managing partner. Martin has established and managed translation offices in Argentina, Brazil, Switzerland, the United States and the UAE. He has overseen hundreds of successful globalization projects every year since 1987, ranging from large volume, multi-million word documentation sets to complex, high-profile websites for Fortune 500 companies.