2017 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
Assessing the Validity of a Ubiquitous Learning Environment through a Holistic Assessment Approach
| Project/Area Number |
16K02895
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| Research Institution | Tokai University |
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Principal Investigator |
田中エリス 伸枝 東海大学, 国際教育センター, 講師 (70593698)
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| Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) |
関口 幸代 明治学院大学, 文学部, 准教授 (20524466)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2016-04-01 – 2019-03-31
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| Keywords | Ubiquitous Learning / CLIL / Leadership Skills / Blended Learning / Flipped Learning |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
The main purposes of the current study are to: 1) capture a blended-, ubiquitous learning environment by identifying what human and nonhuman actors are involved in constructing the learning environment under study; 2) measure learners' learning outcomes in more detailed manners in order to make more accurate assessments of their learning outcomes; and 3) online teaching and learning tools are critically analysed for their suitability, efficiency, and effectiveness for achieving teaching and learning goals.
In order to achieve 2), a new analytical tool, the hierarchical C-unit (the HC unit), developed by the principal investigator was used. The hierarchical C-unit was formulated in order to measure the oral outputs produced by low-proficient foreign language learners.
So far in our research, we have identified several nonhuman actors which are pivotal for succeeding in running an efficient ubiquitous learning environment. For instance, tablet computers are the most influential actors in this learning environment. However, the furniture in the classroom also played a significant role in this study because it affected how the students interacted with each other. Student interaction is one of the core activities in the course because through interactions, they were to learn leadership skills and sense of individual responsibility.
In terms of measuring their learning outcomes, their learning autonomy was looked at though their use of online learning tool. We looked at when and how often they accessed their learning materials before, during, and after each class.
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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
We have collected enough data for 3 semesters. The first semester this academic year is to be used to process all the data we have as planned and if we need more data, we are going to use the second semester to collect further data, however, we feel that this is not necessary at the moment. Processing data would take some time and we do have audio data, video data, and web logs. This combination of data is more than sufficient to triangulate the results we have got so far.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
As mentioned before, we have enough data so far for our research. We are going to use the first semester to basically process the data and analyse it. Depending the results we will have later in the semester, we might want to focus on certain areas in the project, for instance, need of more log data, or more audio data, etc. to look for more evidence for efficiency of ubiquitous learning or blended learning. In the second semester, if we decide to collect more data, we will have an ongoing process of data collection and analysis at the same time.
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| Causes of Carryover |
We were going to pay more to the coders we hired, however, one of the corders was not able to finish the work due to his personal circumstances. Coders need to have a good command of English as well as to be able to understand the holistic view of the learning environment. Therefore, we were not able to find some one who possessed these skills within the given time frame.
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Research Products
(2 results)
