Adoption of Innovative Education Strategies to the Needs of the Time: A Case Study of Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University

Full Text (PDF, 976KB), PP.1-13

Views: 0 Downloads: 0

Author(s)

PISHVA Davar 1,*

1. Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, Beppu City, Oita Prefecture, Japan

* Corresponding author.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5815/ijmecs.2013.01.01

Received: 7 Oct. 2012 / Revised: 10 Nov. 2012 / Accepted: 3 Dec. 2012 / Published: 8 Jan. 2013

Index Terms

Active Learning, Blackboard, Bb, e-learning, Learning Management System, LMS, Learning Commons, Portfolio

Abstract

In our modern era of Internet, mobile and digital information technology, adoption of innovative education strategies to the needs of the time is quite important particularly at private educational institutions which cater to economically affluent students who are becoming picky and often more interested in their distractions than in their studies. Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) which was established in the year 2000 with an aim of becoming a hub for shaping the future of Asia-Pacific region by creating world class leaders in science, management, and economics through a bilingual curriculum, international under-standing, promotion of freedom, peace, humanity, and sensitiveness to the needs of the time, has integrated multimodal approach towards enhancing the quality of teaching and learning, and provides a total student support and care system. As a millennium university, it is equipped with state-of-the-art classrooms and tries to enhance its educational endeavors through proper use and efficient adaptation of educational technologies into its teaching pedagogies. However, due to being a private university and charging handsome tuitions fees, it has been attracting some of the most affluent students onto the campus, many of whom are often more interested in their distractions than in their studies. The decline in youth population and the economic slowdown in Japan have also adversely affected the quality of incoming students. This paper attempts to explain how APU tries to assure quality of their graduates despite the abovementioned problems through blended learning, peer knowledge sharing, adaptation of Blackboard (Bb, the most commonly implemented Web-based learning management system), portfolio, active learning, student support, academic advising, and by providing of a natural learning environment.

Cite This Paper

PISHVA Davar, "Adoption of Innovative Education Strategies to the Needs of the Time: A Case Study of Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU)", International Journal of Modern Education and Computer Science (IJMECS), vol.5, no.1, pp.1-13, 2013. DOI:10.5815/ijmecs.2013.01.01

Reference

[1]B. Means, et al, “Evaluation of Evidence-Based Practices in Online Learning: A Meta-Analysis and Review of Online Learning Studies”, U.S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C., 2009.
[2]“Learning Commons, University Library”http://www.library.illinois.edu/ugl/lc/.
[3]Hanover Research, “Trends in Global Distance Learning”, http://www.hanoverresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Trends-in-Global-Distance-Learning-Membership.pdf, Feb 2011.
[4]D. Pishva, “The State-of-the-Art Remote Lecture System that Links University Campuses in Japan and America (Its Effectiveness and Future Challenges)”, 22nd Annual Conference, Japan Society of Educational Information, p.8-11, (2006, in Japanese).
[5]D. Pishva, “Smart Classrooms Bring Top-Quality Education around the Globe”, International Symposium on Applications and the Internet (IEEE SAINT2007), pp. 40-43, (2007).
[6]D. Pishva, “Multimodal Educational Approach at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University – Part (II)”, University & College Management Magazine Vol. 7, No. 5, pp. 25-30 (August 2011, in Japanese).
[7]Shi Y.C., Xie W.K., Xu G.Y.: “Smart Remote Classroom: Creating a Revolutionary Real-time Interactive Distance Learning System”, Proceedings of International Conference on Web-based Learning 2002, Springer LNCS, 2436, p.130.
[8]“The NIST Smart Space Project”, http://www.nist. gov/smartspace.
[9]“Pangaea”, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pangaea.
[10]Michael Reese, Ron Levy, “Assessing the Future: E-Portfolio Trends, Uses, and Options in Higher Education”, Research Bulletin, Vol. 2009, Issue 4, EDUCAUSE Center for Applied Research, pp. 1-12, (February 2009).
[11]G.G.D. Nishantha, D. Pishva, et al, “Current Usage and Future Trends of Learning Management Systems: A Case Study in Asia Pacific University”, International Conference of Technology, Education and Development (INTED 2009), pp. 948-958, (March 2009).
[12]D. Pishva, “Multimodal Educational Approach at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University – Part (I)”, University & College Management Magazine Vol. 7, No. 3, pp. 13-19 (June 2011, in Japanese).
[13]“Blackboard Learning System”, http://en.wikipedia. org/wiki/Blackboard_Learning_System.
[14]“Blackboard’s Web site for Asia Pacific” http://www.blackboard.com/us/index.aspx.
[15]Michael Machado, Eric Tao: “Blackboard vs. Moodle: comparing user experience of Learning Management System”, Frontiers In Education Conference - Global Engineering: Knowledge Without Borders, Opportunities Without Passports, 2007. FIE '07. 37th Annual, pp. S4J-7 - S4J-12, (Oct. 2007).
[16]“2008 APSC Faculty Blackboard Survey Results” http://www.portalinfo.utoronto.ca/apsc/2008survey.htm#summary.
[17]“The University of North Dakota Spring 2008 Blackboard Learning management system student survey”, http://www.cilt.und.nodak.edu/blackboard/ Bbsurveys/spring2008studentsurvey.pdf.
[18]“Blackboard Case Study”, http://www. blackboard.com/us/index.aspx.
[19]“Blackboard Marketing Research”, http://www. blackboard.com/us/index.aspx.
[20]David Nagel “Blackboard Bumps Learning Platform to Version 9.0”, http://www.campustechnology.com/ Articles/2009/01/27/Blackboard-Bumps-Learning-Platform-to-Version-9.0.aspx.
[21]Patrick Ryan “Blackboard Learn 9.0 Supported Browsers & Operating Systems”, http://kb. blackboard.com/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=45581888.
[22]Keith Russell “Presentation Blackboard 9 – The next generation”, http://keithrussell.blogspot.com/2008/ 05/presentation-blackboard-9-next.html.
[23]Thom Holwerda “Netbook Market Sees Significant Growth”, Dec 2008, http://www.osnews.com/story/ 20639/Netbook_Market_Sees_Significant_Growth.
[24] “The Instructional Technology Council 2008 Distance education survey results”, http://www. itcnetwork.org/.
[25]“The Instructional Technology Council 2007 Distance education survey results”, http://www. itcnetwork.org/.
[26]“The Instructional Technology Council 2006 Distance education survey results”, http://www. itcnetwork.org/.
[27]Blackboard White Paper, “A view from the top: building the 21st century campus”, Blackboard Inc., pp. 1-39, January 2007.
[28]Blackboard White Paper, “Why Using a Learning Management System Alone May Miss the Learning Curve”, Blackboard Inc., pp. 1-9, January 2008.