2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

Advancing Language Learning for the 21st Century Using Maker Education

Research Project

PDF

Project/Area Number	21K00683
Research Category	Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
Allocation Type	Multi-year Fund
Section	一般
Review Section	Basic Section 02100:Foreign language education-related
Research Institution	Kanda University of International Studies
Principal Investigator	Lege Ryan 神田外語大学, English Language Institute, 准教授 (10837991)
Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha)	STANDLEE Philip 神田外語大学, English Language Institute, 講師 (20837984) FRAZIER Erin 明治大学, 国際日本学部, 特任講師 (50838000) BONNER Euan 神田外語大学, 教育イノベーション研究センター, 講師 (70837989)
Project Period (FY)	2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
Keywords	Maker Education / Situated Learning / STEM / Skills development / Higher education / CLIL
Outline of Final Research Achievements	The study investigated Maker Education's implementation into established higher education curricula at two international studies-oriented universities in Japan. The researchers developed a framework and list of core constructs for the approach and then vetted these for adherence to existing literature and suitability for the new context. Participants (N = 350) from 17 existing class groups completed reflections. These reflections were analyzed quantitatively using NLP software and through a qualitative coding process. Participant reflections showed evidence of soft skill development and alignment with Maker Principles. The interventions proved successful as situated learning scenarios for teaching content and language in a meaningful context. The results were disseminated in four peer-reviewed papers (with an additional paper under review) and four presentations at international conferences.
Free Research Field	Computer Assisted Language Learning
Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements	The research demonstrated that Maker Education can be integrated into higher education content-language integrated learning contexts. Data proved that Maker Education created a situated learning environment where learners can simultaneously develop skills, content, and language knowledge.