FAQFAQ

Committee for the Promotion of Educational Content Utilization
MOOC
KoALA
OCW
PandA
MOST
Education Utilizing ICT

Committee for the Promotion of Educational Content Utilization

What kind of organization is the Committee for the Promotion of Educational Content Utilization?
The Committee for the Promotion of Educational Content Utilization is a university-wide organization created with the aim of multi-faceted educational utilization of Kyoto University's educational content. It is engaged in a variety of projects focusing particularly on the collection and dissemination of case studies relating to the use of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) in educational improvement.
Please see this page for more details.
What are the advantages of using ICT in classes?
It is difficult to categorically answer this question, as there are different advantages depending on the features and modes of use of the ICT in question. Please start by looking through the specific examples provided on the page below.
How can I contact the Committee for the Promotion of Educational Content Utilization?
The Committee for the Promotion of Educational Content Utilization is administrated by the Center for the Promotion of Excellence in Higher Education, Kyoto University. If you have a query, please contact us here

MOOC

What is "MOOC"?
MOOC (Massive Open Online Courses) are online courses that can be taken for free or at low cost. The distinguishing feature of MOOC is that they are not simply made available online, but certificates are issued to students who fulfill certain conditions.
Since their launch in 2012, MOOC have been offered not only by leading international universities outside Japan, such as Harvard University and MIT, but also by top institutions in Japan including the University of Tokyo, Tokyo Institute of Technology, and Hitotsubashi University. They are becoming a new trend in higher education today. In 2013, Kyoto University announced to be the first institution in Japan to participate in edX, a platform for the delivery of MOOC. As one of the charter members of edX, Kyoto University has offered nine courses to date under the name "KyotoUx."
For Kyoto University MOOC (KyotoUx), click here
For edX (the MOOC platform Kyoto University participates in), click here
What kinds of MOOC does Kyoto University offer?
We have offered MOOC across a wide variety of fields. One of the courses is "Evolution of the Human Sociality: A Quest for the Origin of Our Social Behavior," which was delivered by our university's President Juichi Yamagiwa in the 2015 academic year, and attracted great interest. We are going to keep offering a steady stream of new courses from now on: please see here for details.
In what ways can MOOC be used?
There are many different ways to use MOOC, such as in flipped classroom, as materials for class preparation/review, and as supplementary materials for face-to-face classes.
Specific examples of how MOOC can be used are available here.
How is MOOC different from OCW?
OCW (OpenCourseWare) is an initiative to make university classes available to a greater number of people through online publication of teaching materials, syllabuses, and related content actually used within the university. OCW is different from regular classes in that no credit is awarded and it is not possible to ask instructors questions.
In contrast, MOOC function more like face-to-face classes, with new lecture videos added each week and students accessing it and working on assigned tasks. At the end of the course period, students are awarded grades and issued certificates if they meet certain conditions. In this way, students can study in a format more closely akin to regular university classes.
How are Kyoto University's MOOC created?
Instructors work through the stages of production with support from dedicated staff members within Kyoto University. Details are available here.
Who should I contact if I want to create and offer MOOC?
Please contact us here. In order to receive our reply, please fill in your contact information.

KoALA

What is KoALA?
KoALA (Kyoto University Online for Augmented Learning Activities) is Kyoto University's SPOC (Small Private Online Courses) platform launched in 2018.
What is SPOC?
SPOC is a generic term for a learning environment platform which universities set up for their students. Tools and systems used in SPOC are the same as those in MOOC. However, in SPOC, each university and instructor can set up the language of course sites, and course content can be created also in Japanese. SPOC enables instructors to create their lecture content and materials based on their purposes and needs. For example, they can offer lectures to specific learners or develop interconnection with other on-campus educational platforms. SPOC has drawn worldwide attention and KoALA is one of the pioneering instances in Japan.
What are the advantages of using KoALA in classes?
There are many different advantages of using KoALA. For example, KoALA enables the instructors to set up learning environments for a flipped classroom and class preparations/reviews, and to see how the learners understand class content through its assignment tools. KoALA also enables them to keep track of participants' learning progress on a real-time basis, both individually as well as collectively.
In what ways can KoALA be used?
Using KoALA, instructors can provide not only the lecture content itself, but also part of class materials, such as a lecture video or an assignment. They can also keep tabs on each participant's learning status easily through KoALA.
Therefore, there are potentially various ways to use KoALA. It has been used in practical cases such as being incorporated in a regular course, or when publishing a course content outside the campus to attract a variety of learners.
It is expected that KoALA will be used more diversely as the number of courses utilizing KoALA will be increased.
What is the difference between KoALA and MOOC?
KoALA is partially similar to MOOC in that they both provide lecture videos and assignments online. However, KoALA is still different from MOOC. In addition to English, it also contains Japanese language in its setting, and it is mainly used by Kyoto University students. In KoALA, instructors can restrict the course participants, such as only to Kyoto Univesity students or to students who registered for a certain class, while MOOC are published globally. In addition, only part of class materials can be published using KoALA while MOOC are often published as complete course content.
What is the difference between KoALA and OCW?
OCW (OpenCourseWare) is an initiative to make university classes available to the public, through online publication of educational resources such as lecture videos, lecture notes, and syllabuses. In OCW, no credit is awarded and it is not possible to ask instructors questions.
In contrast, in KoALA, learners are required to log into it and they may ask questions. Besides, instructors can incorporate KoALA in the grading policy, and KoALA also enables instructors to keep track of students' learning status.
What is the difference between KoALA and PandA (LMS)?
PandA, an LMS (Learning Management System), is a system for supporting both instructors and students in their teaching and learning activities in regular courses, which normally last 15 weeks.
In contrast, KoALA is used for publishing courses themselves. In KoALA, instructors can set up the course periods and the number of sessions, offer courses on a long leave period, create a session's worth of content, or make use of the content for their makeup classes.
Who should I contact if I want to create and offer class content through KoALA?
Please contact us here. In order to receive our reply, please fill in your contact information.

OCW

What is OCW?
OCW (OpenCourseWare) is an initiative that originated at MIT in 2002 with the aim of making all university classes freely available to the public. The range of teaching materials published in OCW is diverse, and includes lecture videos, lecture notes, syllabus entries, and quizzes. Since its launch at MIT, OCW has been adopted by a growing number of universities worldwide and has developed into an international network known as the Open Education Consortium. Kyoto University is a member of this network.
In continuous operation since 2005, Kyoto-U OCW offers public access to a diversity of teaching materials, including many used in actual classes. The aim is to open the Kyoto University's doors wider and make its education and research known to everyone, including students, faculty and administrative staff both within and outside the university, senior high school students seeking admission to the university, and working adults hoping to undertake further studies.
What kinds of OCW content does Kyoto University have?
Kyoto-U OCW encompasses a broad range of textual and audiovisual resources, including not only materials used by instructors in classes and teaching videos, but also public lectures, international conferences, and valedictory lectures. An example is the lecture on "advancements and challenges in iPS cell research" given by the recipient of the 2012 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, Professor Shinya Yamanaka of Kyoto University. Class-related materials mainly center on lecture videos and lecture notes, but also include materials that provide an overview of courses offered at Kyoto University, such as syllabus entries for each faculty and graduate school.
If you are interested in using OCW to digitize and publish course materials related to Kyoto University, please consult with us at any time.
Contact us here.
In what ways can OCW be used?
Uses by instructors include surveys of class content in related courses as well as in-class use of videos from symposia and public lectures held at the university. Additionally, publication of teaching materials through OCW can encourage students to study by having access to the materials for class preparation and review. Materials are digitized, which simplifies printing and distribution processes. For students, OCW materials are a valuable reference point when selecting courses. They are also increasingly used as supplementary teaching materials in senior high school, making it possible for instructors to showcase their own research to prospective students, thereby strengthening high school-university linkages.
What are the procedures for publishing content to Kyoto University OCW?
The process is explained here.
In case when filming video footage is needed, specialist staff members can be engaged to film and edit the footage, but only if you notify us and make reservations in advance.
What is the format used for publishing video materials?
Kyoto-U OCW has a partnership with Google, and with the cooperation of YouTube (a Google affiliate) videos are published using the YouTube upload system.
Is there a cost involved in publishing OCW or filming videos?
Costs may be incurred for materials other than those from regular classes, valedictory lectures, public lectures, and international symposia organized by Kyoto University. You may be required to bear the actual costs of filming in distant locations even for university-organized regular classes, valedictory lectures, public lectures, and international symposia. Please contact us for details here.
Can Kyoto-U OCW content be used freely?
Please refer to the Guidelines on the occasion of the use of Kyoto University OCW content. On the condition that users comply with the matters specified in the Guidelines, such as only using the content for private study or other non-profit, educational purposes, the permitted modes of use include: (1) copying, (2) distribution of copies, (3) distribution via the Internet, (4) translation, and (5) modification by means other than translation [except illegal modification of "Third Party Licensed Works" as stated in 5 (1) of the above Guidelines].
Who should I contact if I want to publish class materials (video, slides, etc.) to Kyoto University OCW?
Please apply using the Kyoto University OCW Application Form.

PandA

What is PandA?
PandA is a Course Management System (CMS; also known as Learning Management System or LMS) operated since the 2013 academic year by Kyoto University's Institute for Information Management and Communication, with the aim of providing total support for learning at Kyoto University.
Recently, I often hear terms such as "CMS" (Course Management System) and "LMS" (Learning Management System). What do these mean?
CMS and LMS are systems using information technology to support both instructors and students in their teaching and learning activities, such as preparation and review, report assignments, and group study, conducted outside the teaching periods.
These systems started becoming common in universities in North America around the year 2000 and are used there today on a campus-wide basis by more than 90 percent of universities, making them an indispensable, foundational part of university education. Such systems are also in place across the whole of Kyoto University, and usage rates in class are increasing year by year.
In what ways can PandA be used?
PandA enables tasks to be performed online that were traditionally conducted on paper, such as distribution of class materials, student submission of assignments, and operation of quizzes. In addition, instructors can answer questions from individual students and make them visible to other students using the Forum tool, while the Mail Archive tool allows instructors to communicate with students as a kind of mailing list. The system is linked to student ID numbers, so it can also be used for grading.
How is PandA different from KULASIS and OCW?
Please refer to the link shown below for an explanation of the differences.
Learning Support System (PandA) FAQ, Institute for Information Management and Communication, Kyoto University
I would like to try using PandA in my course. How should I proceed?
Please refer to the Instructor's Manual shown below for information on how to set up a site. Course link status is updated based on information from faculties/graduate schools and KULASIS.
Course sites cannot be set up through KULASIS in faculties/graduate schools for which the symbol "-" is shown in the course link tool of subject, course coordinating information in PandA. If you wish to request opening the subject that is not coordinated, please complete an application form and send it to the Education Support group.
The Education Support group can also set up project websites for courses that are not linked to KULASIS. You can request this by completing a Project Website Application Form and sending it to the Education Support group. (Project websites cannot be linked with course registration information.)
Download the official PandA Instructor's Manual here.
For other questions, please refer to the FAQ section on the PandA website below:
Learning Support System (PandA) FAQ, Institute for Information Management and Communication, Kyoto University

MOST

What is MOST?
MOST (Mutual System for Teaching & Learning) is an online faculty development (FD) support system designed for university faculty and staff members as well as graduate students aspiring to become university faculty members in the future. Registered users can create and publish portfolios of their teaching practice and FD activities, as well as browse the portfolios uploaded by other users and study their knowledge, experience, and know-how.
What is the difference between MOST and MOSTreasure?
MOSTreasure is one of the tools developed as part of MOST. It is a website that enables know-how, tools, and ideas on the improvement of education and teaching practice at universities to be shared in formats readily usable by other instructors. Users are able not only to browse and post materials on the site, but also report on how they have used the materials in practice and comment on the ideas introduced.
What are Snapshots and Communities?
Snapshots are portfolios of teaching practice produced in MOST. They can be easily created, shared, and published online using the production tool known as KEEP Toolkit. Communities are groups created in MOST. Snapshots produced can be shared either with the general public or on a limited basis within a Community.
In what ways can MOST be used?
One actual example is the curriculum reform undertaken by a department of physiotherapy at one university. All instructors affiliated with the department produced course portfolios on MOST and used them in a series of workshops to conduct comparison and review across all departmental subjects, thereby leading to curriculum reform. Ideas for improvement in teaching practice can also be gained by browsing the publicly available Snapshots containing poster presentation materials on organizational FD initiatives.
What procedures are required if I want to use MOST?
MOST registration is by invitation from an existing user, but Kyoto University faculty and staff members can be registered through the office in charge. Consultations, questions, and registration requests can be made through contact form. Please be sure to provide your name, affiliation, and contact details.
Click here for the MOST home page.

Education Utilizing ICT

What is ICT?
ICT is an abbreviation of "Information and Communication Technology," and is used to refer to the technologies, industries, facilities, and services in various fields related to computers and communication networks. The ICT handled on this website includes technologies and services for which infrastructure is being actively developed by Kyoto University, such as MOOCs, OCW, PandA, and MOST, as well as the various technologies and services used personally by individual instructors, such as Twitter, Skype, YouTube, and their own websites.
In what ways can ICT be used in education?
For concrete examples of ICT use at Kyoto University, please refer to the Projects or Topics pages of the following websites:

Other initiatives include BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) schemes for the provision of environments that enable and encourage students to use their own computers and tablets to study anywhere on campus, e-learning that allows study to be undertaken in any internet-enabled location, and e-portfolios for unified online management of students’ submitted work, learning evaluations, curricular and extra-curricular activity records, and other study-related information.
As of November 2016, the Academic eXchange for Information Environment and Strategy (AXIES)* is conducting a nationwide survey on the current status of higher education using ICT. The results of this survey are scheduled for release by the end of the 2016 academic year.
*Academic eXchange for Information Environment and Strategy: a general incorporated association established for the purposes of “making advancements in education, research, and management using information and communication technology in institutions of higher education and academic research, and contributing to education, academic research, culture, and industry in Japan.” It holds seminars and study groups, and pursues cooperation and exchange with various kinds of organizations. URL: https://axies.jp/ja
Isn't it difficult to handle copyright issues?
The pages shown below provide information related to copyrights. For projects offered by Kyoto University, such as MOOCs and OCW, support by specialist staff members can be provided, which considerably reduces the burden on individual instructors who wish to offer copyrighted materials.