岡山大学グローバル・パートナーズ, 岡山大学教育開発センター, 岡山大学言語教育センター, 岡山大学キャリア開発センター Acta Medica Okayama 1881-5952 11 2015 Why the “Silent Finns” Have the Loudest Classrooms and Implications for Japanese Universities 127 138 EN Caleb Prichard Thomas Fast 10.18926/54541 Finnish education may be a model for Japanese universities as they look to promote active learning pedagogies. Based on observations and interviews with influential educators from several Finnish institutions, this article overviews key aspects of education in Finland, especially those related to deep learning. The role of faculty development, learning spaces, and co-teaching are also examined. Finally, a pilot course implemented at Okayama University in which the authors aimed to apply key ideas learned in Finland will be described. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山大学グローバル・パートナーズ, 岡山大学教育開発センター, 岡山大学言語教育センター, 岡山大学キャリア開発センター Acta Medica Okayama 1881-5952 10 2014 Critical Thinking and Learning Commons: Initial Observations and Possible Applications 93 104 EN Thomas Fast Caleb Prichard Akemi Morioka John Rucynski 10.18926/53176 This article reports on the first year activities and findings of the Learning Commons Study Group (ラーニングコモンズ活用分科会), which was formed to oversee the Okayama University Library renovation. Below is a description of our visits to other libraries, class, workshops and presentation observations. Pedagogically analysis was done through the lens of active learning, contentbased instruction in language learning (CBI), and other related theories and approaches. Concluding thoughts on utilizing Okayama University’s new learning commons and promoting critical thinking on campus is provided. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山大学国際センター, 岡山大学教育開発センター, 岡山大学言語教育センター, 岡山大学キャリア開発センター Acta Medica Okayama 1881-5952 9 2013 TEDxUniversity: Promoting Ideas, Global Citizenship and English Fluency 169 180 EN Thomas Fast 10.18926/52200 TED Talks are short, passionate and engaging speeches by experts on important topics. Delivered at TED conferences, they are recorded for all to see freely online. Recently there have been a growing number of smaller TED-sanctioned but independently organized “TEDx” conferences taking place throughout the world. This paper reflects on a visit to TEDxYouth@Kyoto 2013, a conference held by Kyoto area university students, and addresses why involving language learners in TEDx conferences might prove beneficial, not only for sharing ideas, but also for English practice and development as global citizens. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.