In Search of Educational, Socio-cultural, and Technological Criteria for Localizing Learning Solutions for Varying Cultural Contexts
Abstract: Despite the acknowledged necessity of localizing learning solutions developed in one cultural context in order to meet the demands of the target culture/s, the question of how to do it in practice remains unclear. This panel will first present a set of educational, socio-cultural, and technological criteria developed to evaluate localization needs in varying cultural contexts. Second, it discusses how localization should also consider the cultural diversity within a country. Third, the panel reminds of an urgent need for adapting learning solutions into cross-border and inter-cultural settings. Debate is provoked, in particular, by comparing previously proposed localization requirements for Australia, Finland, Germany, Spain, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates with panelists’ knowledge of these countries. Finally, opportunities are given to deepen understanding of the localization requirements of these countries and to propose alternative criteria for localization.