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Innovative Approach to the Formation and Sustainability of a Learning Community Connecting Students in University Classrooms across Asia Pacific

Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Education

ISBN: 978-1-78635-068-8, eISBN: 978-1-78635-067-1

Publication date: 9 December 2016

Abstract

Purpose

Provide insights on the feasibility of connecting classrooms at a number of universities in the Asia Pacific region in a sustainable and low cost manner through the use of video conferencing.

Methodology/approach

Collaborative project implemented by a network of universities in the region.

Findings

A new form of innovative educational program is feasible based on the effective use of technology which is now readily available as a result of university investment programs, but under utilized due to lack of familiarity or negative perceptions amongst faculty of how to effectively employ this technology in their teaching.

Research limitations/implications

A viable model of university collaboration has been identified and there are no insurmountable barriers preventing other educational programs with the same design. A key limitation relates to whether or not other educational institutions would see the benefits of this model in a highly competitive education marketplace.

Practical implications

Collaborative approaches to teaching in an inter-university context could prove very effective especially when dealing with complex topics like climate change, energy, and food security where the sharing of knowledge is crucial. Social implications: A connected classroom in the inter-university context opens up students and faculty to a diversity of perspectives that may be more appropriate than the traditional way of teaching, especially in this rapidly globalizing world.

Originality/value

All too often educational projects are implemented as pilots and they are not sustained over prolonged periods of time. This project has been on-going for over a decade.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgments

The author would like to acknowledge the hard work and collaborative spirit of all those who have kept the Asia Pacific Initiative running from 2002 until today. The list is very extensive, and I may forget someone, so apologies in advance: Kimio Uno, Hans van Ginkel, Norman Okamura, Christina Higa, Karl Kim, Dolores Foley, Makena Coffman, Danielle Spirandella, Akhilesh Surjan, Hiroshi Ohta, Faainu Latu, Jacinta Moreau, Abudul Salam, Shobhakar Dhakal, Kaori Kinjo, Michio Umegaki, Robert Ellis, Peter Haddawy, Jean-Philippe Thouard, Marco Amati, Ginger Porter, John Robert Egan, Umerang Imegetel, Reid Saito, Sangeeta Gupta, Andrew Rumbach, and many more. The list only covers the coordinators but not the guest lecturers and the technical support staff.

Citation

Barrett, B.F.D. (2016), "Innovative Approach to the Formation and Sustainability of a Learning Community Connecting Students in University Classrooms across Asia Pacific", Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Education (Advances in Digital Education and Lifelong Learning, Vol. 2), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 109-130. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2051-229520160000002006

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited