Interactive Learning through Videoconferencing Facilities
Overcoming the Distance: Interactive Learning through Videoconferencing Facilities
Project aim
The international project ‘Overcoming the Distance’ is a pilot project that aims to assess the possibilities of applying videoconferencing facilities to the sharing of teaching expertise between Japanese Studies departments at universities located at large distances from each other.
Project output
1. Japanimation lecture series
This first year undergraduate course offered at Leiden will be recorded and made ready for future use:
a) for download from a streaming server by students of Leiden University, University of Sheffield, and University of Leeds (and other future partners);
b) as a lecture series on DVD. Leiden students will be able to view Sheffield streaming materials in return.
2. Face-to-face interactive language sessions Language classes aimed at students who have advanced level Japanese skills – first year MA – and intended to teach them how to apply these skills to research in and on Japan. The face-to-face teaching will be carried out in Leiden and transmitted via videoconferencing facilities to Sheffield. The courses will be taught by a language teacher from the University of Sheffield. These sessions will be recorded for future use.
3. Sharing of Sheffield’s WeBCT environment with Leiden students
Online preparatory material, along with other selected Japan-related lecture series available for download at the server of Sheffield University will be made accessible for the Leiden students.
Project partner
The University of Sheffield has been chosen as the first partner for this pilot, due to its extensive experience in long-distance learning. The second partner is the University of Leeds. Seminars and lectures have been offered through videoconferencing facilities for students at Leeds and Sheffield for some time now and Leiden can learn from the accumulated know how and experience.