The SIMPLE methodology for developing and evaluating cross-cultural virtual training systems SIEDS 2017

Cross-cultural training is becoming increasingly necessary due to rapid globalization, international education, global business, and worldwide military involvement. Traditional cultural training programs are usually limited to workshops with trained instructors, presentations, and quizzes, all focusing on specific language and actions to avoid. These methods are costly, time consuming, and their effectiveness remains unclear. A possible alternative is to immerse trainees in foreign “stress point” scenarios using video gaming technology, which provide a scalable, immersive solution to the challenge of widespread cross-cultural training. Such stress points can be identified with subject matter experts, using Hofstede's cultural dimensions which characterize multiple cultures on six scales as a basis for designing scenarios. We describe the “SIMPLE” methodology and give an example of such a development via five interactive dialogue scenarios in an avatar-based simulation of a Chinese university. Formal assessments of the dialogue and interactions have been conducted by a team of Chinese language and culture experts from two universities. These dialogues capture the differences between Chinese and American culture based on Hofstede's cultural dimensions. This work can be extrapolated to fit any user group's needs in order to facilitate fluid cross-cultural interactions and understandings around the world.