IMPLEMENTING A COLLABORATIVE ICT WORKSHOP BETWEEN TWO UNIVERSITIES IN JAPAN AND THAILAND

Abstract

Hokkaido Information University (HIU), Japan, and Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi (RMUTT), Thailand, have jointly conceived, designed and implemented a shortterm exchange program for students from both institutions since 2011. Its goal is to provide students with hands-on experience working together with international partners in an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) task-based setting, and to foster an abiding global-mindedness in the participants. The program is comprised of four stages: (1) Selection, (2) Competition, (3) Collaboration, and (4) Sharing. Students taking part in the international program are selected through contests at each university that involve making ICT-based works: websites, short films and programming applications. Applicants at each university are evaluated based on the projects they complete. Those chosen at each university go on to participate in two consecutive international 8-day workshops, one held at HIU and the other at RMUTT. Teams with equal numbers of Thai and Japanese students are formed, and they work together on creating collaborative web sites, short films and computer applications. After the program, they share what they have produced and learned with their peers and instructors at each university. The program aims to develop four things in the students: ICT skills, English ability, intercultural understanding, and international friendship. The teams’ projects are assessed by teachers at each university using a common rubric. By taking part in the program, students acquire personal and interpersonal skills, in addition to product, process, and systembuilding skills. Teachers, as well as students, are an active part of the teamwork process. As an ICT-related project-based activity that takes place internationally with English as both a second and common language, the program provides a good example of applying CDIO standards outside of an engineering context.