OER-MOOC using world famous OCW through translation in Japanese by volunteers and its distribution from

proprietary e-Learning cloud

Yoshimi FukuharaPresident, Asuka AcademyProfessor, Meiji University

Toru KishidaVice president, Asuka Academy

Chair, NetLearning, Inc.

Where we came from

Background• Huge accumulation of quality OER in the world OE

community since 2001• In some countries those OER contents are used by

mother tongue through translation– In case of MIT OCW: Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, Turkish,

Persian, Korean, etc.• In Japan those OER content have not been translated

to Japanese officially so far– More distribution activities, less usage activity regarding

foreign courses

Asuka Academy• Non Profit Organization established in 2014– Established on April 1st

– First Translated OER course delivered on Oct. 1st

• Our missions – To provide with World Famous Quality OER to those

who use Japanese as the mother tongue.– To provide with not only translated contents but also

discussion board combined with those contents in Japanese.

Our Activites• First step– As very first course we selected MIT-OCW– We talked with MIT OCW team about our plan that

we would like to translate MIT OCW contents to Japanese and distribute from our platform combined with some learning support functions in Japanese

– Preparation distribution platform• Our strong supporter is Netlearning, Inc. who provides e-

learning cloud service commertially in Japan.• We are allowed from them to use their cloud with some

custamization in free of charge.

Our Activities• Second step– After signing translation affiliate agreement

between MIT OCW and Asuka Academy, we selected some popular courses.• Physics and Programming Language related courses

– We recruited translation volunteers through various channels, using internet, contacting to the related organizations etc.

Our Activities• Third Step– After confirming environment and some know-

hows for operating course like MOOC, we enhanced courses in terms of quantity and category.

– Focusing on K-12 education• MIT K-12• UC Irvine: Open Chemistry

MIT K12 Videos

MIT K12 Videos

MIT K12 Videos

UC Irvine: Open ChemOriginal Asuka Academy

MIT OCWOriginal Asuka Academy

Other Translated Courses• MIT– A Gentle Introduction to Programming Using

Python• TU Delft– Water Treatment

• Open University(UK)– Short clips: 60sec series– Creative Futures

www.asuka-academy.com

Our Web site

My Page: registration is required

Introduction to Drinking Water Treatment (TU Delft)

Introduction to Computer Science and Programming (MIT)

[MIT+K12] Science Out Loud

60 second adventures (Open University)

OER-MOOC• We provide translated OER in OER-MOOC

Style– Scheduling course, not open for anytime access– Providing assessments in Japanese– Offering discussion board mainly for mutual

discussion among learners– Issuing Certificate from Asuka Academy for

learners who get the qualifying scores

Translation• Three type of translation project– By openly recruited volunteer translators– By translators belonging to the organization who

provide translation as social activity– By students of university or high school who have

a special relationship with Asuka Academy in terms of use of our contents

Translation by School• Private Junior &high school: Hiroo Gakuen• Translation for MIT K-12• Translation for Open Chem of UCI• Use translated course in the class

Translation by University• In the class of Project Management• Case for real project• Yokohama National University

Use of contents formally• Vocational school• Content: A Gentle Introduction to Programming

Using Python

Total Activites• Courses : 24• Total movie length ： 38h 56m 58s• Total time for learning ：　 160h• Total learners ： 6804• Volunteer Translators ：　 158– High School ： 78– University ：　 18– Individuals: 　 43

Future plan and Challenges

• More courses from various famous Universites• More schools use our courses formally in their

classes• More high skilled volunteer translators• Stronger financial body– Members dues from members only– Another budget: cloud funding or grant

Conclusion• Thank you for your attention• Thank you very much for contents holders and

learners• In addition

E-Learning Award 2015, Global HRD Award