Concept and Vision

Journey Learning Our Vision Modern Design Focus on Competencies

Journey Learning

The need for a new learning style

Japanese society is in need of students who graduate with the skills and aptitudes required to become knowledge workers. The age of the salary man is a thing of the past . Today problem solving, critical thinking, creativity and the ability to work well in a collaborative environment are key. The age when companies offered years of on-the-job training is over, which challenges universities to evolve and change.

[Journey Learning] is about educating knowledge workers

[Journey learning] as we define it is the concerted effort across the curriculum to make each course, each semester an opportunity for skills and personal growth. The graduation certificate is awarded at the end of this process- but should not be the ultimate objective. Japanese society has great need of students who have experienced Journey Learning and stand ready for work in the knowledge economy.

3 defining traits of Journey Learning

Active learning

Students acquire real world skills and knowledge during the journey

Use of Competencies

Clear signposts that inform the students of what they are learning

Autonomous learning

Students are encouraged to make autonomous decisions about their learning journey

The dotcampus virtuous cycle

Student Engagement

An interactive learning environment that spurs engagement and motivation

Journey Learning

An approach to learning that puts the focus on skills and personal growth

Use of data to improve courses

dotcampus provides data on course learning that aids instructors as they seek to improve outcomes

dotCampus vision

Multiply the dots, Connect the dots, Draw a picture of the future

dotCampus supports the student journey: learning -> understanding -> planning a professional future

Multiply the dots

[dotCampus] creates a richer learning environment by increasing the breadth and quality of learning materials available to students. Plentiful opportunities for collaboration and communication motivates and prepares students for the knowledge economy.

Connect the dots

Real, usable workplace skills in a domain is the result of students’ active participation in inventing, creating and building themselves. [dotCampus] enables instructors to increase the frequency of Active Learning activities to deepen understanding, teach critical thinking and involve the students in problem solving exercises that lead to mastery.

Draw a picture of the future

The best university education does not only impart skills and knowledge but facilitates students’ thinking about their professional future. Understanding one’s own strengths and weaknesses to avoid mismatch in the job market may be nearly as important as class learning. [dotCampus] gives students the tools needed to reflect on their own “picture of the future” within the context of class learning.

Modern design

Easy to use design that adapts to all devices

Above all we believe in creating a UI that is intuitive and easy to use for instructors and student alike. That’s how we can get everyone aboard. Two factors sets the new dotcampus UI apart from other LMS’es.

From PC to Smartphone and Tablet, the new UI simplifies operation as well as opening up for new ways of learning.

A new UI language

With the advent of the modern web, users no longer want to peruse manuals to get things done. In the new dotcampus we have adapted the same simple and intuitive UI you users have experienced in applications like the iPhone, Twitter, Amazon and Facebook. It’s a brand new UI language that ensures everyone can participate.

Multidevice support

From PC to Smartphone to Tablet, the new dotcampus UI adapts to the device you have in your hand, displaying information in a format and style appropriate to the device. Not only does this increase usability, it open up new learning scenarios. Students can watch a video on their smartphones while at a cafee; instructors can send an announcement from a tablet while commuting. More flexibility leads to better learning.

Competencies

Towards a more structured curriculum

dotCampus puts [Competencies] at the center of the LMS. This helps students see the connections between courses and provides meaningful signposts about learning content.

dotCampus competency maps provides a common vocabulary for defining skills, knowledge, and attitudes that learners will acquire as they participate in courses, learning activities or extracurricular activities. Competencies are an inventory of skills and knowledge, rather than a measures of how good learners are at something.

Competencies go hand-in-hand with student-centered learning because clearly defined competencies provide students with clarity on which area of the curriculum they need to focus on to improve their performance.

An example of 5 core competencies

Medical department competency map example

Merits of using competencies

For school, competencies

clarifies existing curriculum content and enables deliberations about improvements
enables alignment of curricula with school mission and the needs of society
enables the school to better advice students on career choices

For instructors, competencies

facilitate instructor-instructor communication regarding class dependencies
facilitate timely, differentiated student feedback

For students, competencies

provide clarity on strengths and weaknesses
provides pointers as to what kind of career they may be suited for