Global Classroom

The aim of this chapter is to shed light on the processes by which culture becomes part of an individual's personality and the manner of its intergenerational transmission. The chapter outlines the roles of ego, cultural systems of punishment and reward, and modeling in the process of culture acquisition and transmission.

This chapter explores the profound influence of culture on learning, illustrating how cultural beliefs, customs, and practices shape perceptions, behaviors, and educational outcomes. It delves into the complexity of culture within organizations, emphasizing its role in fostering a collective space for learning and experimentation. Highlighting the significance of cultural diversity in educational settings, the text discusses challenges and opportunities for inclusivity and understanding.

This chapter explores the nuanced dynamics between learners' aspirations, instructional methods, and classroom expectations. It delves into the challenges and opportunities presented by diverse educational backgrounds, emphasizing the importance of active, inclusive teaching strategies. The chapter presents a critical analysis of current pedagogical practices and their impact on students, particularly those from underrepresented or neurodivergent groups, and proposes strategies for fostering a more inclusive and responsive learning environment.

This chapter examines the landscape of global business higher education (HE), emphasizing the importance of preparing students for dynamic and complex systems through personal and professional brilliance. Highlighting the global mindset of today's business students, it discusses the challenges and opportunities in internationalizing HE, including the impact of global challenges and the importance of international experiences for employability and skill development.

This chapter delves into the intricate relationship between multiculturalism and multilingualism within educational frameworks, focusing on the challenges and enriching opportunities they present in contemporary classrooms. It particularly emphasizes the hurdles posed by language barriers, which can impede students' comprehension and participation, subsequently affecting their overall academic performance.

This chapter explores the debate over ethnocentric curricula, highlighting dominant cultural values and knowledge, often resulting in the exclusion of minority perspectives. Critics argue for a more inclusive approach to enhance cultural understanding, student engagement, and global competence, while acknowledging the challenges of balancing breadth and depth in curriculum content. This chapter advocates for comprehensive educational reforms to reflect a diverse, multicultural, and inclusive society.

This chapter sheds light on the necessity of effective communication techniques in educational environments characterized by diversity. It underscores the importance of adapting to cultural nuances and individual needs to create an inclusive and supportive atmosphere for students from varied backgrounds. This chapter outlines practical strategies for educators, such as cultural awareness, active listening, and the use of simple, inclusive language supplemented with visual aids. It emphasizes the role of technology in facilitating communication and highlights the significance of personalized feedback and academic support systems.

This chapter examines the unique challenges faced by international students in adapting to new educational environments and offers strategies for engaging effectively in a multicultural classroom. This chapter begins by discussing the Stress Process Model and its relevance to the international student experience, highlighting the complex nature of stress and its impact on mental health. This chapter concludes with an exploration of innovative tools, such as peer review software, to minimize bias and promote inclusivity. These approaches aim to create a supportive and effective learning environment, acknowledging the varied backgrounds and needs of students.

This chapter explores how diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) enrich organizations and enhance human resource management (HRM). It defines DEI, emphasizing the interconnectedness of these concepts and their importance in creating inclusive workplaces. By integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into human resources (HR) practices, companies can identify and reduce biases, improve diversity outcomes, and support employee development. This chapter highlights Amazon's use of AI in HRM as an example, discusses the potential benefits and ethical considerations of using AI to advance DEI initiatives, and calls for responsible implementation and oversight.

This chapter explores the essential importance of diversity in human resource management (HRM), emphasizing the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI). It highlights how AI can help organizations manage diversity more effectively by offering personalized training and development programs, identifying skill gaps, and reducing unconscious bias in recruitment and performance evaluations. This chapter also discusses the ethical considerations and potential challenges of AI, using the Italian National School of Administration (SNA) as a case study. Ultimately, it underscores the importance of leveraging AI responsibly to create inclusive and equitable workplaces that celebrate diversity.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are key elements of a company's success. HR executives are challenged to incorporate these elements into a company's work environment but must also deal with the inherent difficulties of implementing such an environment in the real world of business as well as developing ways to resolve them. The sustainability of a work culture built upon these principles will greatly contribute to a company's growth, reputation, and profitability.

This chapter discusses the pivotal role of digital technologies, including Information Communication Technologies (ICT) and artificial intelligence (AI), in enhancing inclusivity within higher education organizations. Highlighting the importance of accessible and usable technological tools, the authors argue for the development of digital inclusion to bridge the digital divide and promote digital literacy. Through examples like supporting students with autism spectrum disorder using mobile technologies, this chapter emphasizes the potential of digital tools in creating more inclusive learning environments. The authors advocate for a shift in university culture toward sustainability and inclusiveness, facilitated by technological advancements, to prepare educational institutions for a more integrated and humane society.

This chapter delves into the transformative potential of the Virtual Global Classroom (VGC) in the higher education landscape, emphasizing its role in advancing internationalization through Information Communication Technologies (ICT)-enabled curriculum. It presents the VGC as a tool for inward and outward internationalization. This chapter argues for careful design and implementation of the VGC to ensure inclusivity and meaningful intercultural engagement, advocating for a reimagined global education paradigm that embraces digital innovation for equitable knowledge exchange.

This chapter delves into the increasing internationalization of higher education and the pivotal role of English as a global academic language. It highlights the challenges non-native English speakers face in academic environments, particularly in the time and effort required to engage in English-mediated education. This chapter discusses the evolving landscape of AI in higher education, debating the responsible use of AI tools to support non-native speakers without compromising academic integrity or critical thinking skills. It stresses the need for improved digital literacy and clear guidelines for AI tool usage, ensuring that these innovations support rather than hinder academic progress and inclusivity.

This chapter delves into the concept of the “grand tour” as a precursor to modern study abroad programs, illustrating the historical importance of cultural exposure and education. This chapter then transitions to contemporary study abroad experiences, underscoring their role in nurturing cross-cultural competence, crucial for success in the globalized business world. This chapter introduces virtual exchanges as an innovative solution, overcoming geographical and financial barriers, and providing a flexible, inclusive alternative to traditional study abroad programs. This chapter concludes by reflecting on the broader implications of virtual exchanges for tertiary education.

The Sant’Anna Institute in Sorrento, Italy, uniquely blends academic rigor with cultural immersion, focusing on soft skills and intercultural competencies. By integrating experiential learning and innovative teaching methods into its business courses, the institute prepares American students to effectively navigate the complexities of the global business landscape.

This chapter explores the role of avatars in fostering cultural diversity and dynamic interaction in educational settings. It delves into the integration of digital tools, particularly avatars, in classrooms to enrich learning experiences. The case study from the University of Salerno's “Cross-Cultural Competence” course illustrates how avatars designed to reflect cultural nuances facilitate virtual interaction among students of different nationalities. This technological integration not only supports pedagogical objectives but also promotes inclusivity and engagement. This chapter emphasizes the necessity of blending technology with traditional teaching methods to enhance educational processes, underscoring the potential of avatars in creating immersive, culturally rich learning environments.

This chapter explores the “Strategy in the European Context” course, offered by the University of Toronto and hosted by Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic. Highlighting an intensive abroad experience, it showcases how the course blends rigorous academic content with cultural immersion and experiential learning. Through reflective learning, interaction with local businesses, and immersive side trips, students gain a holistic understanding of strategic management in a global context. This case study exemplifies the transformative potential of integrating intensive abroad programs into undergraduate education, promoting global awareness and enriching student learning experiences.

This chapter explores the implementation of ethical artificial intelligence (AI) to ensure equality in the workplace. It uses a case study of the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) to highlight how transparency, fairness, and inclusivity enhance scientific integrity and set a model for global scientific collaborations.

This chapter explores the importance of cultural competency in business education, particularly in global business and language courses. It emphasizes how intercultural competence enhances communication and professional effectiveness. Through immersive experiences and critical reflection assignments, curricula at the University of Rhode Island prepare students to navigate diverse professional environments, strengthening their global and intercultural skills.

This chapter advocates for integrating global education into classrooms, emphasizing the importance of cultural diversity, technology, and interdisciplinary learning. It proposes policy recommendations and institutional changes, like curriculum integration, faculty development, and international partnerships, to foster a dynamic, inclusive, and globally aware learning environment. Emphasizing the significance of project-based learning and proper assessment, it aims to prepare students for global challenges, promoting cultural empathy, critical thinking, and collaborative problem-solving. This chapter underscores the necessity of continuous improvement and collaboration among educators and institutions for successful implementation.