JISC

Overview

The sophistication of games consoles, including internet connectivity, advanced graphics and audio recording, has made them a viable platform for delivery of e-learning. This project will use Nintendo DSi hand-held games consoles to link students on exchange inJapan to co-students elsewhere in Japan and their tutors back home, including structured language learning exercises and feedback. The project will assess the use of advanced games consoles as a medium for delivering e-learning to communities of students learning especially non-European languages.

Aims 

•  Swift feedback 
• Interactive online learning, especially for non alphabetical character handwriting 
• Keep students' motivation 
• Connecting learners at different host institutions and teaching staff at home institution 
• Relieving the sense of isolation 
• Close monitoring students to give them regular support

Objectives

• Exploring options for use of games consoles in context of mobile e-learning and higher education 
• Stimulating innovation in international education 
• Maximising year abroad experience, pedagogically and psychologically 
• New assessment framework for Year Abroad course 
• Development of flexible technical infrastructure with synergies with existing e-learning component

Project methodology

The project's methodology is to develop the technical infrastructure for using DSi to link dispersed bodies of language students, develop learning exercises based on the expertise of current Japanese language tutors then use a combination of surveys and virtual ethnography to evaluate the materials.

The project will be divided into the following five work packages:

1. Project preparation and management 
2. Set-up online learning environment 
3. Develop and deliver language tutoring 
4. Data collection and analysis 
5. Evaluations and reports/dissemination

Anticipated outputs and outcomes

Outputs

• Project Website Students' Study Group on Social Networking sites
• Students' blogs 
• 2 x language achievement tests 
• Qualitative data regarding students' learning experiences during their away year 
• 'Study / Tutoring' notes and collaborative notes by students 
• Short summary of student survey 
• Three project reports

Outcomes

• Exploring options for use of games consoles in context of mobile e-learning and higher education 
• Stimulating innovation in international education 
• More personalised learning experience 
• Connecting learners at different host institutions and teaching staff at home institution 
• Development of flexible technical infrastructure

Technology / Standards used

• Document standards: DOC, RTF and PDF
• Web standards: HTML
• Image Standards for the Web: SVG, Flash, GIF, JPEG and PNG 
• Multimedia Standards: Flash, 
• AVI, ASX, MPEG-4 and MP3
• Nintendo WiFi connection: Opera browser for Nintendo DSi and its applications which has WiFi function