Talk at the 10th Code for Osaka meeting
In the past, I joined meetings of Code for Osaka
and Code for Nara. In Nara, I was a facilitator in
a workshop organized by Code for Nara. Code
for
XXX is regional-based participatory community to
solve various regional issues with ICT, i.e. Civic
Technology. In Japan, for instance, some groups
work with local governments to use open data
more effectively. One of the issues is education.
In the past many speakers talked about education.
On 22 February, I presented learning
portfolio on the
occasion of the 10th Code for Osaka
meeting. It was
the second time for my presentation.
Approximately
50 people came and listened to speakers’
presentations.
Some were city councilors from Osaka city and
outskirt
of Osaka city. The meeting was commenced with
toasting
drinking. (This style released pressure from all
participants.)
After 2 speakers, my presentation began. I
did not prepare but initially I did self-introduction
briefly. I am not a IT person,
but most participants are from IT industry.
Despite the fact that
I was a system engineer and programmer long
time ago, I am
not involved in IT industry. What I remember is
that I made
some computer programmes with IBM RPG on
AS/400 at that time. I forgot many things related to ICT.
Nowadays programming on computer seems
booming in Japan. The Ministry of Education, Science and
Technology decided computer programming will be a compulsory
subject at primary schools in 2020. The 2 speakers before
me explained current status of programming education in Osaka city
and programming education as after school activity.
What I presented
is not related to programming on computer but e-portfolio
as learning tool to practice active learning.
Initially I explain PBL approaches. Most
participants already knew what active learning was. Then I talked about ICT
use in active learning. Probably ICT is quite significant tools for
active learning. Then I introduced some e-portfolio management systems,
e.g. Mahara, Sakai/OSP, manaba, etc.
Then I explained chronological order for use. After
my presentation, no one raised hand. I
wonder if it was not interesting for all participants. MC asked me about
connectivity for programming. Frankly I did
not expect this question, but I think e-portfolio can be useful to record logs
of programmes. Then another participant’s comment was that functions of
e-portfolio was not clear. Due to short
presentation time, I talked about e-portfolio quite briefly. In particular, most firms focus on the
result. For students, it does not matter if s/he fails or succeeds. The processes
are as important as results. Results are only snap shots. At university we need
to pay attention to contexts.
Finally one participant also came and talked to me.
He said
It was necessary to understand from companies who
hire students.
It is necessary to analyse stakeholders.
Comments and dialogs are important for my
reflection.
