岡山大学グローバル・パートナーズ, 岡山大学教育開発センター, 岡山大学言語教育センター, 岡山大学キャリア開発センターActa Medica Okayama1881-5952112015Why the “Silent Finns” Have the Loudest Classrooms and Implications for Japanese Universities127138ENCalebPrichardThomasFast10.18926/54541Finnish education may be a model for Japanese universities as they look to promote active learning pedagogies. Based on observations and interviews with influential educators from several Finnish institutions, this article overviews key aspects of education in Finland, especially those related to deep learning. The role of faculty development, learning spaces, and co-teaching are also examined. Finally, a pilot course implemented at Okayama University in which the authors aimed to apply key ideas learned in Finland will be described.No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.岡山大学グローバル・パートナーズ, 岡山大学教育開発センター, 岡山大学言語教育センター, 岡山大学キャリア開発センターActa Medica Okayama1881-5952102014Critical Thinking and Learning Commons: Initial Observations and Possible Applications93104ENThomasFastCalebPrichardAkemiMoriokaJohnRucynski10.18926/53176This article reports on the first year activities and findings of the Learning
Commons Study Group (ラーニングコモンズ活用分科会), which was formed
to oversee the Okayama University Library renovation. Below is a description
of our visits to other libraries, class, workshops and presentation observations.
Pedagogically analysis was done through the lens of active learning, contentbased
instruction in language learning (CBI), and other related theories and
approaches. Concluding thoughts on utilizing Okayama University’s new
learning commons and promoting critical thinking on campus is provided.No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.岡山大学国際センター, 岡山大学教育開発センター, 岡山大学言語教育センター, 岡山大学キャリア開発センターActa Medica Okayama1881-595292013TEDxUniversity: Promoting Ideas, Global Citizenship and English Fluency169180ENThomasFast10.18926/52200TED Talks are short, passionate and engaging speeches by experts on important topics.
Delivered at TED conferences, they are recorded for all to see freely online. Recently
there have been a growing number of smaller TED-sanctioned but independently
organized “TEDx” conferences taking place throughout the world. This paper reflects on
a visit to TEDxYouth@Kyoto 2013, a conference held by Kyoto area university students,
and addresses why involving language learners in TEDx conferences might prove
beneficial, not only for sharing ideas, but also for English practice and development as
global citizens.No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.