2019 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
Engineering English for the Growth Mindset in the Knowledge-Creating Classroom
| Project/Area Number |
17K00482
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| Research Institution | Shizuoka University |
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Principal Investigator |
V WILKINSON 静岡大学, 情報学部, 名誉教授 (40240626)
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| Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) |
Chandler Damon 静岡大学, 工学部, 准教授 (70765495)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2017-04-01 – 2021-03-31
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| Keywords | learning environment / knowledge creation / project-based learning / EFL / language learning |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
The objective of this research project is to investigate how learning English as a foreign language (EFL) can be affected via an engineering-centric project-based learning framework. In Year 3 of this project, the objective was to specifically examine how mentor-based guidance/feedback affects teamwork and mindset. We repeated the workshop from Year 2 with this condition varied between the test and control groups. Our results demonstrated a statistically significant positive effect of mentor-based guidance/feedback on English ability. Two international conference publications/presentations resulted from this work.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
3: Progress in research has been slightly delayed.
Reason
In the original proposal, we had planned to have students compete in robotics contests in the USA. This was not possible due to the pandemic. Instead, we decided to focus more on the mentoring aspect of the project-based learning framework. We asked whether team-based presentations guided by TAs and external judges could lead to better EFL learning compared to group-based presentations with no such mentorship. The results indicated a positive effect of mentorship: English scores improved more for the test group as compared to the control group.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
With the surplus funds, we are currently conducting an all-online version of the learning framework. Team-based presentations are being conducted online. The objective is to evaluate whether similar improvements in EFL skills can be obtained with an exclusively online project-based learning framework.
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| Causes of Carryover |
Because we did not participate in planned overseas robotics competitions, extra money remained. The leftover funds will be used to (1) hire TAs and purchase equipment to support an online version of the learning framework; and (2) cover travel expenses to present the work at a conference.
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