#4185

Poster Session

Creating Interactive Media to Promote Intercultural Exchange

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Developing intercultural awareness can be challenging for many Japanese students, particularly those who have limited opportunities to study abroad. However, advancements in EdTech now enable educators to create interactive, multimedia-based virtual learning experiences that immerse students in cross-cultural exchange without leaving the classroom. This interactive poster presentation will demonstrate how to design and implement immersive media using ThingLink, a platform that integrates 360° and flat images and videos, text and audio to create interactive learning scenarios. Attendees will gain practical insights into the process of developing virtual tours, as well as strategies for incorporating them into language learning curricula to foster intercultural communication. A joint project launched at the presenter’s university successfully utilized ThingLink to support student-generated virtual tours as a means of bridging cultural gaps. Japanese students engaged in these virtual experiences demonstrated increased confidence in initiating conversations with international students. By virtually exploring cultural landmarks and daily life in other countries, they were able to generate more meaningful discussions and ask more in-depth follow-up questions. This poster will provide examples of ThingLink-based activities and discuss the pedagogical implications of integrating immersive media into language education.