Design methods for training teachers in conflict management within multi-ethnic and multicultural classes: A proposed psychological framework

Educational systems play a pivotal role to prevent social exclusion and discrimination and to promote equity, mutual understanding and respect. Teachers, in particular, are required to take an active stand in supporting social inclusion, adapting their practices and developing new skills to successfully deal with the increasingly diverse range of learners in their classrooms. Therefore, enhancing teachers’ intercultural skills and competencies represents a key priority in the contemporary challenging educational context. The present study aims at describing the psychological framework underpinning the development of an original e-learning tool created for teachers and educators to self-assess and to improve their intercultural skills and competencies. In particular, the study will describe in detail the Dryden and Constantinou’ Model of Effective Communication and the Rahim’ Model of Conflict Management styles, clarifying their application for the design of a Technologically Enhanced Educational Role-Playing Game (EduTechRPG), namely ACCORD Game, developed to train teachers to deal with interethnic conflicts within realistic school context scenarios.