This Time Its Personal

Judi Franz, UC IrvineAkemi Morioka, UC IrvineThis Time Its PersonalThe Power of Desktop Videoconferencing1History of the JVCShimizu-sensei sent to UCI through a special project sponsored by the Japanese Ministry of Education 2001-2002Sought out Japanese instructors and observed several classes2History, contdShimizu-sensei returns to position at Namerikawa High School in Toyama Prefecture in early 2002In October of 2002, the first Japanese Video Conference is held between 12th graders in Japan and UCI students who are taking a range of 1st-4th year Japanese language class3In the main campus videoconference facility, using mainframe technology. Almost purely social in nature, no real structure at first.On Japan side, it was between 10 and 13 students until Fall 2006. Since 2006, they included 2nd-year students, therefore increased the number up to between 15 and 20. On our side, it has always been around 15 to 20.

Voluntary and un-graded on UCI side, until Fall 2008 when incorporated into J2A class. Now back to voluntary.

History, contdIn March, 2003, Shimizu-sensei started a new job at Toyama College of Foreign LanguagesStudents meet 7 times during Fall and Spring quarters, 3 times during Winter quarter Additional interaction via online message board when it was integrated into curriculumSome UCI students have traveled to Japan and participated in the JVC from the other side, and one student from Japan came to UCI, as well4Now first and second year English language students at the college, instead of high school students. Eventual move to Polycom technology, but still held in main campus videoconference facility.

Outside of class time (5pm Irvine = 9am Japan); only 3 meetings in Winter Quarter due to Japanese school schedule (they are out of school in February and March), 7 meetings in Fall and Spring Quarters.

Irvine students have stayed with Shimizu-sensei and enjoyed his hospitality

Monday pmTuesday am

5Depends on Daylight Savings Time in the US 5pm Standard time, 4pm DST.Present SituationAs of January, 2007 the JVC moved to the Humanities Instructional Resource Ctr.Use PolyCom and Skype for group and individual interactioniMacs using built-in iSight cameras in IrvinePCs running Windows XP and external web cams in Toyama6One-to-one conversation began in October 2005.

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10Movie of students introducing themselves via Polycom

Original setup - but found we were trying too many simultaneous connections, and were having trouble keeping everyone in video calls at the same time. Then tried Skype (Mac on our end, PC on their end), but that did not help at all. Interesting differences between programs re: lag time of voice to lips moving, clarity of video and audio. With Skype, many computers in Japan crashed, so we went back to MSN/Bootcamp on our end, and now only maintain 6-8 connections at once, with students switching out between computer lab and Polycom.**Update: newer version of Skype works great, we no longer have to boot into Windows and use MSN and have students create accounts/remember logins and passwords. We have been maintaining 25 simultaneous connections w/o problems.

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Pedagogical RationaleBuild confidenceIncrease motivationLower affective filterNon-verbal communicationCultural exchangeNegotiation of meaningSynchronous vs. asynchronous15In order to develop students' speaking ability, they need to build confidence in themselves. Also, we want to increase their motivation for language learning. JVC is definitely fostering these two factors.

ContentUCI students speak in Japanese, and students in Japan speak English most of the time. However, there is frequent code-switching.Content has been determined sometimes by Shimizu-sensei and sometimes by UCI instructor, depending on research and curricular issues

16Sample ActivitiesA new school year in Japan, discussion of blood typeEducation systemHow to treat other peopleNew Years traditionsOver-arching Theme: Journey/TravelImages of Japan, Nature and Geography Things to do in JapanStaying in Japan Living AccommodationsCultural Difference Enryo - hesitation/reservation due to consideration for othersPresident Obama

17Instructors ObservationsLower affective filterBuild confidence and self-efficacy (helping partner with English)First-hand informationCultural exchangeAuthentic, genuine communicationNegotiation of meaningIncreased motivation for learning Japanese18As for their language proficiency, we cannot really tell precisely. However, what is obvious is changes in their attitude toward learning and relationship with others. Their motivation for learning seemed to have developed by participating in this conference. Some students who were really shy have become more outgoing by doing one-to-one activities.

Language learners are not just communicatorsand problem solvers, but whole persons with hearts,bodies, and minds, with memories, fantasies, butembodied experiences, emotional resonances, andmoral imaginings. Kramsch, 2006: 251 UCI Student SurveySurvey conducted Spring 2008Results somewhat mixed regarding preference for group or individual interactionTechnical issues sometimes interferedEnhanced understanding of both language and cultureStudent reactionsI've found JVC to be very interesting and fun. It's an interactive and different way for us to learn to communicate with people who speak the language we're trying to learn. We also get a sense that we are helping them out, as well. I feel like everyone benefits from it. Having a targeting (sic) discussion also helps us to learn more about each others culture, and we can therefore lose any stereotypes we may have about one another.Also, we get to learn to be patient with one another. If my partner stumbles in English, we can work together to find the right word. And if I stumble in Japanese (which is more likely), we can find a meeting ground to discover what it was I was going to say.

All in all, JVC is a very innovative way to make learning about Japanese culture and language really stick in ones mind.

Student reactions, contdWhen we were first told that we would have to participate in JVC meetings, I was rather intimidated and nervous since I lacked confidence in my Japanese. But when we finally started and I saw a friendly, smiling face from the other side of the camera, I felt immediately reassured. Talking to everyone these last couple of weeks has been incredibly fun and being able to meet and make new friends has made me very happy. Student reactions, contdThe first time I did JVC, I was kind of nervous if not irritated,especially because I feel that my Japanese speaking is not very goodcompared to my class mates. However, as time went on, I began to get used to initiate a conversation in Japanese and enjoy it overtime. Although learning and being competent in the language is still a long way to go, and I am sure I will run into more obstacles; nonetheless, I will continue to do so with confidence. JVC has provided such kind of confidence to me. In addition, JVC also provides a 1 hour "escape" from the ordinary Irvine life style that I am living in everyday. I was able to get a glimpse of the Japanese life style that my conversation partners have. Student reactions, contdthe jvc meetings are very good.they are a good way of interacting with native japanese speakers.i learn a lot from our one-to-one conversations.I'm glad that we are able to practice our japanese speaking skills withthem as well.it would be good if they could think about the topic and talk about itmore. sometimes there are pauses during the conversation, when we shouldbe talking about the topic we were assigned. sometimes our conversationgoes off topic and we don't have time to ask our questions.it would be good if they initiated questions for us to answer as well.i usually am the one to ask questions first about something about our topic.when i ask questions they are good to answer in english, and they arehelpful in answering my questions. i have many questions about japan, so iam glad to have their help.i think the one-to-one conversations work well for our learningStudent reactions, contdJVC meetings are a great way to enhance our speaking abilities! The people we Speak to are always friendly and sociable, so its not difficult to get along. It really tests our knowledge of the Japanese language and is similar to a simulation of what might happen if we were to tour Japan and had to get through with whatever we know at that point. Its intimidating though because the students there are extremely skilled in the English language, but it encourages us to get better and to study more. Personally, the sessions go on a little too long and learning in class seems like it should be more of a priority, but theyre fun nevertheless. Student reactions, contdI really enjoy JVC and I feel that it is helping me speak quickly inJapanese. I think one of the most important things is to converse inJapanese quickly and without translating from English. I also enjoymeeting new people and listening to what they have to say about the topicswe've had. Lastly JVC also helps the TCFL students speak English. I thinkJVC is awesome!

Student reactions, contdI think that the JVC Conferences have been very valuable to my learningJapanese. This is because I am getting a "genuine" experience of sorts byspeaking to native Japanese speakers in their own country. I was verysurprised and amazed at how good at English they are! It was also good tohave them help me on my own Japanese when I didn't know how to expresssomething. I also think it's lots of fun learning about the Japanesepeople on a personal level by talking to them one-on-one and getting toknow them and what they enjoy in life. Overall, it is a very goodexperience and I am glad that I have been able to be a part of it so far!

Student reactions, contdI think JVC is a very helpful exercise for us. We learn vocab and grammar in the classroom, but we lack in practicing these words and phrases in conversation. That is where JVC steps in and allows us to really practice and use all that we have learned with a native speaker. We discuss interesting topics with our partner, and we both get to learn different perspectives about each other. JVC Student reactions, contdI really enjoy the JVC meeting sessions. I took AP Japanese in highschool, and the listening prompts were always make pretend chats withJapanese students via prerecorded messages. Those were static and pretty mechanical. But the JVC meetings are the real thing: it enriches mylearning of Japanese by letting me speak to real Japanese speakers.Meeting people in Japanese is also an amazing experience because I get to learn about people my age in Japan. It's my first time interacting withJapanese students, so it is very helpful and fun.

ConsiderationsLanguage level of students on both endsNumber of students on each sideTechnical issues: how to troubleshoot, having tech support on both sides, set up generic accounts with easy login/passwordsTime zones, and time changesNew twist on login/password issue: FERPA; also lets students decide how much personal info they are willing to reveal.30

Thank you!

Any questions?judi.franz@uci.edu