2017 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
Using Lego Serious Play teaching methodology to enhance communication skills and problem-solving processes for Japanese learners at Model United Nations Conferences
| Project/Area Number |
16K02866
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| Research Institution | Hannan University |
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Principal Investigator |
M・D Sheehan 阪南大学, 国際コミュニケーション学部, 教授 (00411265)
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| Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) |
春木 茂宏 近畿大学, 国際学部, 准教授 (00340761)
ソープ トッド 近畿大学, 国際学部, 准教授 (00460676)
Smith Craig 京都外国語大学, 外国語学部, 教授 (60390100)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2016-04-01 – 2019-03-31
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| Keywords | Lego Serious Play / Model United Nations / Collaborative Learning / Problem Solving |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
Presentations: Presented "Innovative teaching methods to integrate and internationalise learning environments at Japanese universities" at the EAIR Forum in Porto, Portugal in September 2017. The conference was hosted by the European Higher Education Society. Publications: "Using LEGO Serious Play to Foster Communication in Intercultural English Problem-Solving Discussions." Robert Dunn, Calum Adamson, Todd Thorpe, Journal of International Studies, (2), 41 - 54, Nov. 2017. Workshops: LEGO Serious Play workshop at Japan English Model United Nations, KinDai University, Osaka, Japan, June 23, 24, 25, 2017. Goal: Utilized LEGO Serious Play as a communication tool to collaboratively develop a set of guiding principles to support sustainable tourism in the Caribbean.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.
Reason
By the end of June 2018, we will have been able to have three major LEGO Serious Play workshops at the Japan English Model United Nations: June 2016, June 2017, and June 2018 as part of data gathering and interaction analyses. We gained some insights on the project at the EAIR Forum Porto, and also after some research meetings. We are shifting our focus a bit, and will also look at how LEGO Serious Play can increase confidence in second language learners.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
In the third year, the investigators will devote their time to writing up the results and presenting at academic conferences. We will continue: 1. LSP background research and approach creation. 2. Data Collection at the JEMUN conference: June 2018. 3. Gathering survey data from participants at the JEMUN conference: June 2018. 4. Dissemination of results: conference presentation and journal article. At least one of the facilitators on the team hopes to go to the LEGO Serious Play global community meeting in Billund, Denmark to exchange ideas with other LSP facilitators.
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| Causes of Carryover |
The funds have been allocated well over the three years of the project. The 2018 budget includes funds for equipment, and also travel expenses for conferences and presentations in 2018. At least one of the facilitators on the team hopes to go to the LEGO Serious Play global community meeting in Billund, Denmark to exchange ideas with other LSP facilitators.
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