Design Patterns for Mobile Learning in Digital Multicultural Academic Courses

Multicultural classes in academia present challenges, intensified further in the context of online learning. Addressing these disparities requires innovative solutions to the challenges stemming from the diverse cultural backgrounds, religious affiliations, age disparities, varying learning skills, and differences in technology access. This study employs Design-Based Research (DBR) methodology to tackle these challenges. Through iterative processes involving expert collaboration, several Design Patterns (DPs) were identified and refined. All design patterns revolve around digital and visual literacy. The study's findings indicate that implementing various Design Patterns in a multicultural class using mobile learning and a shared visual language can be highly effective. These Design Patterns foster a common vocabulary, and cultivate essential learning skills to bridge existing gaps, they facilitate recognition of the learning space and interactions between the students. This paper presents four design patterns that serve as the didactic foundation for designing visual academic learning using smartphones: 'The Power of Selfies' -- Leveraging selfies for active learning; 'Album Anchored Theory' -- Utilizing personal picture repositories to grasp abstract theoretical models ; 'Between Image and Word' -- Utilizing metaphors to enhance vocabulary; 'Research in a "Physital" Environment' -- Collaborative learning without textual overload in an intriguing virtual setting. These patterns offer the basis to structure multicultural online lessons effectively. [For the full proceedings, see ED659933.]