The year is coming to an end quickly. Time flies, doesn’t it? I am a TV buff, so I really want to watch a lot of TV during this season, but I rarely find the time… I set up recordings and watch them all at once later. I am currently organizing data. I want to finish the data analysis to write papers after the new year. I hope for good results.
I finally turned 40 this year. They say this is the age of no doubts, but I don’t feel that way at all; I still feel quite wavering about what to do next. While learning new things, I need to establish a stronger core for myself. I find myself thinking a lot about what I should do from here on out and looking toward the future. I want to make next year a year for that. I want to take on new challenges. Also, since it is my pre-calamity year (maeyaku), I want to get a purification ritual done. I don’t really believe in these things, but people around me say it’s better to do it. It is true that things didn’t go very well toward the end of this year.
Looking at my Research Achievements, if you look at last year’s entry…
Papers: 2 (both as first author)
Japan Society for Educational Technology Short Letters: 2 (co-authored)
International Conferences: 5 (3 as first author)
That was the result.
This year, it was…
Papers: 2 (both as first author)
International Conferences: 10 (2 as first author)
In addition, there were 3 books (co-authored).
There is a brilliant young professor in the field of informatics at our Learning Analytics center who mentioned that in the informatics field, one must have 4 papers/international conference presentations per year as a first author. If I follow that standard, I have just barely met it. Phew… (sweat). I am a researcher positioned between the fields of education and informatics, but I want to leave behind achievements that meet this standard. I will do my best!!
That said, although there is a lot of data, it has not yet been turned into achievements. There are also some analyses that I haven’t been able to get to. Once the semester ends, I want to spend time on analysis and writing papers.
Development of the project-based learning support system is slightly behind schedule, but the basic functions are coming along quite well. Due to various circumstances, research progress has been delayed, but I want to make up for it next fiscal year. I tried some Moodle plugins for project work support, but they were very difficult to use, so I want to deploy this developed plugin in various places.
Development of the facilitation system for multi-party collaborative learning is also almost finished, and we plan to conduct an evaluation in January. This has also become a good system by combining practical wisdom and theory. Although this is also being developed as a Moodle plugin, it is designed not to be too dependent on Moodle. It will likely be fine even if the Moodle version changes, provided the basic database remains the same.
As for the Learning Analytics infrastructure, we are proceeding with practical applications in science classes at Itoshima High School. We were finally able to conduct a practice session using the prefectural network at the end of the year. We had been using a contracted Docomo line, but the e-Book viewer ‘BookRoll’ did not work well, which was a real struggle. There were times when the practice was stalled because of this poor network. However, using the prefectural network, this point went smoothly, which was good. That said, since the practice was done via wired connection in a computer room, which is an inappropriate classroom environment for discussion, I would like to proceed with future practices in an environment where high-speed WiFi can be used. We are still continuing with one-shot practices, but I would like to ask them to use it continuously. Regarding my achievements so far, one of my students will be challenging an international conference. I hope it leads to good results.
Also, with research funds provided by the university, we are proceeding with the development of a learning support system that utilizes BookRoll logs. Since BookRoll is strictly an e-Book viewer, its functions are specialized for reading, such as underlining, taking notes, and bookmarking; it does not allow users to utilize the content read in BookRoll to organize materials or their own thoughts. This is a waste, so I am developing this support function. This is also being developed as a Moodle plugin. I have already received comments from people saying they are looking forward to it, and I have high expectations as well. It is scheduled to be completed in February next year.
Furthermore, at the Learning Analytics center, a research project we applied for under the JST Mirai Program was accepted. We have been advancing Learning Analytics in secondary and higher education, but the project accepted this time will be research on multi-generational co-creation, especially regarding learning environments for the elderly. We will proceed with research that incorporates Learning Analytics into that. This in itself is difficult, but I would like to do my best to cooperate. I have not done research targeting the elderly before, so it seems I will be entering a new frontier. Secondary education, higher education, and adult learning. I think the pieces of Learning Analytics research are fitting together firmly. That’s great!!
I will be advancing various research projects next year, but I want to work harder than this year to advance my research and leave behind achievements. This year was just barely enough… (sweat)
Well then, everyone, have a happy new year!! I look forward to working with you again next year.
