Video link set to make a big impact

The University of New England (UNE) hosted an NBN-connected videoconferencing session between O’Connor Catholic College and Chosei High School near Tokyo in Japan last Thursday in one of the University’s videoconferencing studios. The session was attended by the Japanese Deputy Minister of Education, 10 Members of Parliament and nine education authorities in Japan via videoconferencing, and by the UNE Vice-Chancellor. The Diocesan Director of Catholic Schools Armidale, John Mula, was also in attendance. The Asia ConneXions links Australian schools with schools in Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, China, and Indonesia through high definition videoconferencing connected to NBN.
The videoconference also connected Armidale’s O’Connor Catholic College students with Japanese students. Principal of the School, Charlie Allen, said that the international videoconferencing, as an education tool, has proved to be very beneficial in terms of breaking down stereotypes and expanding cultural awareness.
The Chosei students, dressed in traditional Japanese costumes, presented on Japanese festivals; for example, Matsuri Festival, Yatai (Stand), Mikoshi (Vehicle for God), Yukata (informal cotton kimono), Hanabi Fireworks, Wa-Daiko (Japanese traditional drum); and on two Japanese idols, ie, Seiko Matuda and AKB48. AKB48 sings with popular dance movements, which the Japanese students demonstrated with music, and O’Connor students learned the dance movements with music from the Chosei students. The students danced together, which was an excellent example of interactive videoconferencing. The O’Connor students presented on the history of O’Connor Catholic College and famous people in Australia.
The videoconference began with greetings from Chosei Principal, Mr Masaki Tokita, and the Minister, Ms Miho Takai, and was followed by an address by UNE Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jim Barber, emphasising the importance of global education.
The event was called ‘Japan’s D-day’ because success of the event will determine deploying videoconferencing to many schools in Japan, which consequently will contribute to expanding the UNE’s Asia ConneXions program. The program is funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. The Japan’s D-day was organised by UNE’s Dr Myung-sook Auh, Program Director of the Asia ConneXions, SiMERR and Nobuyuki Ishii of Cisco, Japan. Dr Myung-sook Auh said the participating schools in the local region had gotten a great deal out of the program and in turn, helped to make it a success.
Professor Barber said UNE can be proud of the achievements of this program.
“Using the power of the NBN, a program developed at UNE and trialled in local schools looks set to have a significant impact on the education system in Japan,” he said.
This followed an event held earlier this year, which involved Prime Minister Gillard speaking to O’Connor Catholic College via video link with a South Korean school.
Story: Gary Fry

No posts to display