Recognition of cross-cultural meaning when developing online web displays

The perceptions and practical experiences are important influences when creating and developing online learning experiences in cross cultural contexts. In this study fifteen educational designers studying for their Masters Degree were asked to contribute their interpretations to an ongoing study of what meaning and interpretations were generated from a series of different learning environments offered via the Web. Course materials were designed in Australia and delivered into Hong Kong, SAR, China. Students did not always interpret the visual information in the manner expected by the original designers. This paper discusses the outcomes of the investigation in relation to student's perceptions of the appropriateness of the interface design guidelines when applied to a number of exemplary WWW sites, highlighting the cultural differences encountered.