Creating cross-cultural learning communities on the Internet and the Japan Gigabit Network - integration of media tools into collaborative learning

Abstract

This paper describes how the integration of collaborative media tools can create an environment to effectively motivate students to acquire communicative skills for cross-cultural communication. In Japan, particular emphasis is being placed on combining receptive and expressive skills, especially writing, into comprehensive language acts to meet the need for a global perspective in education. In order to achieve this goal, we organized a computer supported collaborative activity integrating Virtual Network Computing (VNC) and the Japan Gigabit Network (JGN) into other media tools such as Chat'n'Debate. The results of a questionnaire to students show that the system supports a pedagogical focus on cross-cultura l communication in collaborative learning situations. Keywords CSCL (computer support for collaborative learning), EFL, Gigabit Network, chat, media tools 1: Introduction This paper proposes an effective integration of collaborative media tools into language learning in EFL (English as a Foreign Language) writing classes. In Japan, the New Course of Study was initiated by the Ministry of Education, Sports and Science in 1999 and 2000, for junior high schools and high schools respectively. These new school curricula in secondary education are set to start in 2003. In accordance with these changes, the teaching of English will also be revised placing even more emphasis on communication in the light of new needs in an information society. Accordingly, there is considerable need for more exploration in this area where computers are arranged to create a global learning community by integrating collaborative media tools.In the New Course of Study set by the Ministry of Education, writing is being emphasized with a focus on communication. The objectives are 'to develop students' abilities to write their thoughts in English according to the demands and purpose of the situation, and to foster a positive attitude toward communication." Therefore, a major concern for teachers is to create an environment in which students are encouraged to engage in not only lower-level structural exercises for sub-skill training, but meaningful communication for better communicative competence in the age of telecommunication. In other words, we are required to develop new pedagogy and materials to foster a higher-level of cognitive capability and to advance competence from a more global perspective.In the New Course of Study (2000: p.127), points of special consideration in teaching are described as follows."In order to make writing exercises more effective, they should be combined with the other language skills of listening, speaking and reading, and integrated into comprehensive language acts." Considering the need to enhance communicative competence in the networked society, problem-solving applications in telecommunication projects need to be carried out in the classroom setting.Interaction is the main focus in the above-mentioned setting. According to the interactionists' point of view, successful learning can be achieved when le...