Cooperative Lesson through  TV Conference System
 

On Sept. 25, CCV Educational System Research Group (Chairperson:  Professor
Kiyoshi Yokochi, ex-Professor of Yamanashi University) has opened the cooperative
distance learning lesson to public; the  lesson  between  Yamanashi  University  Faculty
of  Liberal  Arts  &  Education  Attached  Elementary   School   (abbreviated   as   YES
hereinafter),  Kofu,   and   Peter-Witte   Elementary   School   (abbreviated   as   PWS
hereinafter), Berlin,  connected via  TV  conference  system.  InYamanashi  classroom  of
the fifth-graders are installed a large-size screen of 80", a liquid-crystal  projector,
digital video cameras, ceiling microphones etc. Fifth-graders of both  classrooms  could
deepen their communication  by  exchanging their  images  and  voices  real-time  through
high-speed digital communication line between Japan and Germany.
 

YES <=> Elementary School of Berlin
Exchange with cultural understanding improved

     The lesson began at three p.m. (at eight a.m.  in  Germany).  Translators  attended  in
each classroom. Pupils of YES sang in  chorus  an  European  folk  song  "MeisterJakob",
which Mrs. Elizabeth Telge of PWS  had  taught  them  when  she  visited  Yamanashi  for
preparation of this project. Each pupil showed his hand-made  fan  or  kite  holding  in
his hand, and explained ways to  use  or  meanings  of  patterns  drawn  on  them.  From
German class came responses like " I could see it well",  "  Thank  you  for  your  nice
explanation" etc.
     Pupils of PWS in turn gave a present of their works  of  geometrical  patterns  which
they designed using PC, to Yamanashi pupils via communication line.
     Pupils on both sides, tense at  beginning,  became  gradually  intimate  each  other,
and were eager to express their impression  about  their  partners'  works  and  to  ask
questions about their school life.
     The research group was established in Oct.1995, with  the  aim  of  studying  new
methodology of teaching, as well as  promoting  mathematical  education.  YES  as  a
collaborative school to the study group, has gained numerous experiences so  far  in
distance learning between remote schools such as  the  exchange  via  TV  conference
with Yamagata University attached Elementary School. There remain three  times   of
distance learning lessons between YES and PWS.
     Mr. Okuyama, a teacher of YES says "Pupils on both  sides  seem  to  have  become
familiar,  although  they  have  mutually  different  cultural  background  and  are
surprised at each other's different school system too. I hope that newer and  better
methodology of teaching should be established in harmony  with  the  development  of
educational system in the future."

<<explanation of the picture>> A scene from the cooperative lesson with real-time
images sent from Germany, at YES, Kofu