Graduate Student Research Symposium 2025

This qualitative action research study explores the effects of community-building activities on cross-cultural collaboration in an eighth-grade Social Studies classroom. At a diverse public middle school in Oahu, students often gravitate toward peers from similar cultural backgrounds, limiting broader collaboration. Using the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework, this study integrates structured activities that promote social, cognitive, and teaching presence to foster meaningful peer interactions. Over a two-week period, students will participate in brief community-building exercises designed to encourage collaboration across cultural groups. Data collection will include teacher observations, student work, and reflections, analyzed thematically to identify emerging patterns. Findings will provide insights into whether intentional classroom practices can enhance cross-cultural understanding and cooperation, informing educators seeking to build inclusive, collaborative learning environments. This research is particularly relevant to Hawaii’s multicultural classrooms and contributes to ongoing discussions on diversity and inclusive practices.