Center for Meta-Learning (CML)
One unique feature if Future University-Hakodate is the so-called Center for Meta-Learning or CML. Established in 2009 under the guidance of Professor Noyuri Mima, CML is involved in the studies of learning processes and how to establish FUN as a leader in pedagogical technologies and know-how.CML consists of several working groups including:
- Orientation FD & SD
- Education Research Funds
- Liberal Arts Curriculum
- Prep. Education
- The CML English Education Working Group
- Computer Literacy
- Literacy
The CML English Education Working Group, for example, established in April 2009, has as its goal the establishment of a new framework for English education in Future University. The philosophy that underpins the work of this group is that the responsibility for improving students' language skills should not be the sole responsibility of any one group of teachers but the job of the entire Faculty. Thus, students should be regularly exposed to English regardless of the subject they happen to be studying. Specifically, our task is to create an environment in which students acquire both basic English communicative skills and the more academic language skills that are required of them in their various courses of study and in their future lives. Currently, our main undertaking is the creation of four new Virtual English Courses. These four courses will be for first and second year students. From 2010 the first of these courses will be entirely online. The core content will be created by all FUN faculty members and molded into a series of language learning activities by a team of online task designers. These new courses will expose students to technical English that has been adapted to their level. The content of these courses will shadow much of the students' Japanese language content classes. It is hoped that by the end of these four courses, students' Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency (CALP) will have improved significantly
CML members are also involved in a number of related applied research areas such as:
- Michael Vallance and David Lindsay Wright's (2010). Japanese Students’ Digitally Enabled Futures Images: A Synergistic Approach to Developing Academic Competencies. In S. Mukerji & P. Tripathi (Eds.). Cases on Technological Adaptability and Transnational Learning: Issues and Challenges. IGI Global: USA. In Press. This book chapter co-authored with professor Michael Vallance (FUN) illustrated that a Futures Studies approach encourages Japanese students to strategically analyze their futures by anticipating problems and stimulating collaborative solutions. Supported by creative digital media integration, students become active participants of a learning process that results in measurable outcomes of academic competencies. Two foresighting contexts are provided: local community and personal employment futures. Data from both are analyzed for the effectiveness of digitally enabled Futures Studies in promoting academic competencies of students in Japanese Higher Education. The article concludes with personal critiques from digitally enabled learning and Futures Studies perspectives.
For more information on CML activities please enquire to Ms Kaname Kato at:
