Starting this semester, I have begun a class on CMC (Computer-Mediated Communication), focusing on the use of social media.

The venue is the Open Studio in the Learning Commons newly established at our university. Although the number of students is very small, those who have enrolled are highly motivated. Since this is a liberal arts course, students often view it as an easy way to earn credits, so I suppose that is unavoidable. It is hard to compete when there is a very popular course scheduled at the same time (laughs).

The teaching style is interactive, aiming to be both enjoyable and thought-provoking, with an eye toward the students’ futures. Since the class is so small, it feels like a seminar. We use computers, of course, as well as whiteboards (for presentations) and whiteboard mats that can be spread on desks (for taking notes and organizing thoughts), and projectors (for knowledge transfer). Course materials are uploaded to the portal so that students can refer to them at any time. We have also introduced a system that allows wireless connection to the projector and can display up to four computer screens simultaneously, so I would like to make use of that as needed in the future.
Since coming to this university, I have realized that it is not only a regional university but also located in the mountains, which often presents geographical disadvantages. I believe that social media can create opportunities for people in such an environment to share their various thoughts, feelings, and ideas with people around the world and to grow. However, it all depends on how it is used. I think it is important not only to understand the characteristics of CMC tools and the number of people using them, but also how the individual wants to use them. Psychological factors also play a strong role in this. My class does not just introduce CMC tools and use cases; I hope that by also learning about psychological factors, it will be a positive asset for the students’ futures.
One of the students is a fourth-year student who will be graduating this year. I am happy that a fourth-year student chose to take my class. I hope it will be useful after graduation. There is also a second-year student. They are entering an important year where they will start thinking about their future and what they want to do. I would be happy if they could understand the pros and cons of CMC such as social media, as well as the psychological factors involved, and use them effectively.
However, what was interesting about setting up the whiteboards in pairs as shown in the photo is that the students would refer to what the other was writing while they were in the middle of writing. This is like in quiz shows where boards are placed in pairs between teams to let them grasp each other’s progress. In learning, I thought this could be an opportunity for them to learn from each other, such as by thinking, “Wait, isn’t it like this?” or “Is that how I should write it?” I realized that the arrangement of tools can significantly change not only what is learned, but also many other things that are learned unconsciously.
In the design of collaborative learning environments, “visualization” is an important element. Regarding that visualization, the intention behind it is also crucial. This was a learning experience for me as well.
I will also be using Twitter in the future. If you happen to see the content and have some time, I would be happy if you felt free to join the conversation on Twitter.

For more details on the design of collaborative learning environments, especially Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL), this paper is very informative.

中原淳・前迫考憲・永岡慶三 (2002) CSCLのシステムデザイン課題に関する一検討 : 認知科学におけるデザイン実験アプローチに向けて, 日本教育工学雑誌, 25(4), 259-267
http://ci.nii.ac.jp/naid/110003026435