Yuri Nishihori

Cross-cultural learning experiments through the Internet

This paper discusses how the use of a high-quality video-conferencing system, a chat system, and a Web-based voting system promotes the establishment of an effective leaning environment, particularly for cross-cultural learning. A cross-cultural learning experiment was conducted in January, 2005. Classrooms in the IT education hall at Hokkaido University, Japan and the discovery laboratory of the arctic region supercomputing center at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks were connected through the Internet and an experimental network. The effect the experiment had was evaluated by analyzing a questionnaire that was given to students after the experimental class was held at both universities. Our results suggest that the integration of information and communication technology developed in this study provides an effective cross-cultural learning environment and students found this type of language leaning both enjoyable and valuable.

Global Teacher Training Based on a Multiple Perspective Assessment: A Knowledge Building Community for Future Assistant Language Teachers

The main objective of this project is to design and implement Web-based collaborative environments for a global training based on a multiple perspective assessment for future and novice ALTs Assistant Language Teachers who will come to Japan from various parts of the world. The system was created in order to give better chances to acquire professional knowledge in advance with support from experienced senior teachers, both Japanese teachers and former ALTs. Computer Support for Collaborative Learning CSCL was adopted as a platform for their online discussion with much focus on multiple perspective assessment to support social and personalized aspects such as individual accountability and contribution to the collaboration. Initial results are reported using the analysis of system design and the Web-based questionnaire answered by the participants involved in this knowledge-building forum.