E-learning in Japan: Steam Locomotive on Shinkansen<sup>i</sup>

This paper aims to share the outcomes of a qualitative survey on the status of elearning implementation in Japanese higher education institutions. The research evidence is gathered through: 1). a literature survey related to e-learning in Japan, 2). analysis of the websites of the universities, 3)....

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ali E. Ozkul, Kumiko Aoki
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE) 2007-01-01
Series:Open Praxis
Online Access:https://account.openpraxis.org/index.php/up-j-op/article/view/166
_version_ 1797772317007282176
author Ali E. Ozkul
Kumiko Aoki
author_facet Ali E. Ozkul
Kumiko Aoki
author_sort Ali E. Ozkul
collection DOAJ
description This paper aims to share the outcomes of a qualitative survey on the status of elearning implementation in Japanese higher education institutions. The research evidence is gathered through: 1). a literature survey related to e-learning in Japan, 2). analysis of the websites of the universities, 3). observations obtained during Tokyo e-Learning World 2005 Expo and Conference, and 4). interviews conducted with the faculty members at the working on e-learning projects in the universities visited. The survey revealed that e-learning has not been adopted by Japanese universities wholeheartedly despite the availability of a highly developed ICT infrastructure nationwide. The main reasons for such gap between technological availability and its actual implementation can be attributable to the lack of support systems to facilitate the utilization of ICT in instructional processes and the lack of long term strategic visions to utilize ICT to enhance teaching and learning in many higher education institutions in Japan. These dilemmas are evaluated from the cultural, societal and managerial perspectives. Cultural perspectives included shared values and customs among policy makers and practitioners. Societal considerations involve the university system itself, its funding structure, and the demand of e-learning among potential students. From the managerial point of view issues such as leadership of university governance and long-term strategic visions of the institution are examined. Finally future prospects of e-learning in Japan are discussed.
first_indexed 2024-03-12T21:49:21Z
format Article
id doaj.art-8ec1562eef2543e6a6f5a93f83104489
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 1369-9997
2304-070X
language English
last_indexed 2024-03-12T21:49:21Z
publishDate 2007-01-01
publisher International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE)
record_format Article
series Open Praxis
spelling doaj.art-8ec1562eef2543e6a6f5a93f831044892023-07-26T06:15:53ZengInternational Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE)Open Praxis1369-99972304-070X2007-01-0111E-learning in Japan: Steam Locomotive on Shinkansen<sup>i</sup>Ali E. Ozkul0Kumiko Aoki1Anadolu UniversityNational Institute of Multimedia Education This paper aims to share the outcomes of a qualitative survey on the status of elearning implementation in Japanese higher education institutions. The research evidence is gathered through: 1). a literature survey related to e-learning in Japan, 2). analysis of the websites of the universities, 3). observations obtained during Tokyo e-Learning World 2005 Expo and Conference, and 4). interviews conducted with the faculty members at the working on e-learning projects in the universities visited. The survey revealed that e-learning has not been adopted by Japanese universities wholeheartedly despite the availability of a highly developed ICT infrastructure nationwide. The main reasons for such gap between technological availability and its actual implementation can be attributable to the lack of support systems to facilitate the utilization of ICT in instructional processes and the lack of long term strategic visions to utilize ICT to enhance teaching and learning in many higher education institutions in Japan. These dilemmas are evaluated from the cultural, societal and managerial perspectives. Cultural perspectives included shared values and customs among policy makers and practitioners. Societal considerations involve the university system itself, its funding structure, and the demand of e-learning among potential students. From the managerial point of view issues such as leadership of university governance and long-term strategic visions of the institution are examined. Finally future prospects of e-learning in Japan are discussed. https://account.openpraxis.org/index.php/up-j-op/article/view/166
spellingShingle Ali E. Ozkul
Kumiko Aoki
E-learning in Japan: Steam Locomotive on Shinkansen<sup>i</sup>
Open Praxis
title E-learning in Japan: Steam Locomotive on Shinkansen<sup>i</sup>
title_full E-learning in Japan: Steam Locomotive on Shinkansen<sup>i</sup>
title_fullStr E-learning in Japan: Steam Locomotive on Shinkansen<sup>i</sup>
title_full_unstemmed E-learning in Japan: Steam Locomotive on Shinkansen<sup>i</sup>
title_short E-learning in Japan: Steam Locomotive on Shinkansen<sup>i</sup>
title_sort e learning in japan steam locomotive on shinkansen sup i sup
url https://account.openpraxis.org/index.php/up-j-op/article/view/166
work_keys_str_mv AT alieozkul elearninginjapansteamlocomotiveonshinkansensupisup
AT kumikoaoki elearninginjapansteamlocomotiveonshinkansensupisup