Assessing Educational Leaders' Perceptions of Virtual Intercultural Interactions in Digital Learning Environments: Development, Network Analysis and Validation of the Virtual Intercultural Interactions Scale Through a Technology‐Driven Approach.

Background: As educational institutions increasingly operate as multicultural hubs, leaders must navigate the complexities of cultural differences, language barriers and diverse learning styles in digital environments. These challenges are amplified by the lack of non‐verbal cues and the asynchronou...

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Publicado en:Journal of Computer Assisted Learning Vol. 41; no. 5; pp. 1 - 21
Autores principales: Aldighrir, Wafa Mohammed, Asiri, Fatima's Mohamed
Formato: research tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: Wiley-Blackwell Oct2025
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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      dt: Oct2025
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        10.1111/jcal.70124
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        atl: Assessing Educational Leaders' Perceptions of Virtual Intercultural Interactions in Digital Learning Environments: Development, Network Analysis and Validation of the Virtual Intercultural Interactions Scale Through a Technology‐Driven Approach.
      aug:
        au:
          Aldighrir, Wafa Mohammed
          Asiri, Fatima's Mohamed
        affil: Department of Education and Psychology, College of Education, Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia
      sug:
        subj:
          Cultural Competence Evaluation
          Communication
          School Administrators
          Faculty Attitudes Evaluation
          Online Education
          Learning Environment
          Digital Technology Utilization
          Instrument Validation
          Instrument Construction
          Human
          Male
          Female
          Adult
          Middle Age
          Validation Studies
          Exploratory Research
          Multimethod Studies
          Colleges and Universities
          Educational Technology
          Semi-Structured Interview
          Saudi Arabia
          Purposive Sample
          Content Validity
          Cross Sectional Studies
          Psychometrics
          Criterion-Related Validity
          Artificial Intelligence
          Descriptive Statistics
          Cultural Diversity
          Scales
          Adult: 19-44 years
          Middle Aged: 45-64 years
          Male
          Female
      ab: Background: As educational institutions increasingly operate as multicultural hubs, leaders must navigate the complexities of cultural differences, language barriers and diverse learning styles in digital environments. These challenges are amplified by the lack of non‐verbal cues and the asynchronous nature of online communication, which can lead to misunderstandings and reduced collaboration. At the same time, emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality and social media offer unprecedented opportunities to bridge these gaps, enabling more effective and inclusive intercultural interactions. In regions like Saudi Arabia, where Vision 2030 emphasises internationalisation and multiculturalism in higher education, the need for tools to assess and enhance virtual intercultural competencies is particularly urgent. Addressing this need is essential for fostering inclusive learning environments, driving academic innovation and preparing educational systems for the demands of a globalised world. Objectives: This study aimed to develop and validate the Virtual Intercultural Interactions Scale (VIIS) to assess educational leaders' intercultural competencies in virtual environments. It seeks to identify key dimensions of virtual intercultural interactions, evaluate the scale's psychometric properties and explore the role of technology in enhancing intercultural understanding. Additionally, the study provides actionable insights for improving intercultural competencies in digital learning environments and establishes a theoretical framework integrating intercultural communication, diversity management and educational technology. Methods: This exploratory mixed‐method study, conducted in 2024, designed and evaluated the psychometric properties of the VIIS among 600 university managers in Saudi Arabia. The study involved a qualitative phase, including interviews and a literature review, for item generation, followed by a quantitative phase to assess the scale's psychometric properties, such as validity and reliability. Additionally, the study employed Exploratory Graph Analysis (EGA) from a network perspective to further examine the construct's structure and ensure its robustness. This comprehensive approach ensured the development of a reliable and valid tool to assess virtual intercultural interactions in educational leadership. Results and Conclusions: The results identified six key factors: Intercultural Dialogue, Intercultural Understanding and Cooperation, Acceptance of Cultural Diversity, Experiences and Emotions, Cultural Challenges and Cultural Learning and Development. These factors collectively explained 60.9% of the total variance of the VIIS, demonstrating its robust structural stability and suitability for assessing virtual intercultural interactions. The findings indicated that the VIIS provides a reliable tool for shaping educational policies and practices in multicultural settings like Saudi Arabia and holds potential for broader application across diverse cultural and geographical contexts. Additionally, this scale is handy for designing professional development programs and training initiatives for educational leaders, focusing on enhancing intercultural competencies through advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality and digital communication tools.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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