Intercultural usability in e-learning objects prepared for teaching Turkish to foreigners

Abstract

This research investigates the intercultural usability factor of e-learning products designed for the instruction of Turkish as a foreign language. The subject of study, “Ana Dil Turkce,” refers to a freely accessible and distant education platform developed by Anadolu University with the purpose of instructing non-native speakers in the Turkish language. This study employed a concurrent mixed methods research design to investigate the intercultural usability of the “Ana Dil Turkce” e-learning system. The study incorporated a qualitative component through the utilization of a case study methodology, while a cross-sectional survey design was employed to address the quantitative part. The quantitative portion of the study employed descriptive methods, whereas the qualitative portion utilized content analysis methods. The qualitative component of the study involved the participation of 25 individuals who were active and registered users in the system during the period from 2020 to 2022. Additionally, the quantitative component of the study included the participation of 211 users. The quantitative portion of the study employed a questionnaire as a method of data collection, while the qualitative component utilized a semi-structured interview format. The study’s conclusions were analyzed through the integration and juxtaposition of qualitative and quantitative data. The study yielded findings regarding the cultural appropriateness of the Ana Dil Turkce e-learning objects. The findings indicate that the cultural learning objects inside the e-learning system are deemed adequate, albeit requiring further development and enrichment.