Three arrows models in the developing of new digital learning experiences

Abstract

Three arrows models in the developing of new digital learning experiences The many challenges arising from COVID-19 have forced Japanese businesses and higher education to accelerate innovations and digital transformations. Japan is a well-known global leader in adopting innovative approaches with the use of advanced cutting-edge technologies, and education is not an exception. Digital learning and effective implementation of new pedagogies focused on distance learning, flexibility, and adaptation to innovative teaching practices are helping students and educators across Japan. As a result, Japan's traditional face-to-face lecture style is being rapidly transformed into a new Education 5.0, involving Cloud tools, correct use of learning management systems (LMS), web 4.0/5.0, and a wide range of other educational tools. Additionally, in our research and course design, we have adopted a new collaborative agile approach, including academic, industry expertise and teaching assistance facilitators. We identify challenges and opportunities through a case study that examines the design of a new course that incorporates agile collaboration and student perceptions after the adoption of this rapid and unexpected digital learning approach.

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ASCILITE 2020
ASCILITE’s first Virtual Conference

ASCILITE 2020
ASCILITE’s first Virtual Conference
Three arrows models in the developing of new digital
learning experiences
The many challenges arising from COVID-19 have forced Japanese businesses and higher
education to accelerate innovations and digital transformations. Japan is a well-known global
leader in adopting innovative approaches with the use of advanced cutting-edge technologies,
and education is not an exception. Digital learning and effective implementation of new
pedagogies focused on distance learning, flexibility, and adaptation to innovative teaching
practices are helping students and educators across Japan. As a result, Japan’s traditional face-
to-face lecture style is being rapidly transformed into a new Education 5.0, involving Cloud
tools, correct use of learning management systems (LMS), web 4.0/5.0, and a wide range of
other educational tools. Additionally, in our research and course design, we have adopted a new
collaborative agile approach, including academic, industry expertise and teaching assistance
facilitators. We identify challenges and opportunities through a case study that examines the
design of a new course that incorporates agile collaboration and student perceptions after the
adoption of this rapid and unexpected digital learning approach.
Keywords: COVID-19, society 5.0, digital learning, digital transformation, agile collaboration
Introduction
In recent years, higher education has experienced a significant shift encompassing greater internationalisation
and student mobility, the growth of online and blended learning, and a rise in internet services on a global scale.
The abundance of digital educational resources has triggered new pressures on institutions of higher education,
such as the development of innovative curricula, educational programmes and new academic pathways through
digital learning (UNESCO). Digital learning is not a new practice in Japan’s higher education system, yet
despite the country’s reputation as a high-tech nation, Japan has been slow to adopt digital learning in higher
education; it is still common for lectures to be given in large lecture halls and for students to study with printed
materials. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, many Japanese universities have been forced to delay the new
semester by one month and create online learning curricula in a short period of time. Thus, despite its negative
impacts, the coronavirus has offered a chance to update and upgrade educational innovation in Japan aligned to
a future Japanese Society 5.0, which connects educational and digital technologies solutions and supports
teachers and students to engage in a remote collaboration in the ever-expanding field of online learning.
Through these advancements, Japan’s traditional face-to-face lecture style is rapidly becoming a new Education
5.0.
Through a specific case study, this paper describes the implementation of an online Japanese language course
that the authors, three researchers, developed by collaborating at the international level with three particular
learning designs in mind. Inspired by the ancient Japanese legend of three arrows, we refer to them collectively
as the ‘three arrows model’.
Theoretical framework
This section provides the theoretical framework for the three learning designs – (1) agile digital
learning, (2) content and language integrated learning (CLIIL), and (3) education for sustainable
development; all of which aim to achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs) (ESD for 2030)
that we used to build an online Japanese language course. As aforementioned, we refer to them
collectively as the ‘three arrows model’.
Agile digital learning
We participated in an agile learning and virtual collaboration, incorporating our own ‘three arrows
model’ based on a multidisciplinary team effort to further the swift adoption of innovative educational
technology. These unprecedented times have reshaped and accelerated the use of e-learning
experiences and have engendered novel ways of imparting and absorbing knowledge.

According to the literature, agile methodologies are a group of software development techniques based
on iterative and incremental development. The four major features fundamental to all agile
methodologies are: (1) adaptive planning, (2) iterative, evolutionary development, (3) a brisk, flexible
response to change, and (4) promoting communication (Begel & Nagappan, 2007; Maher, 2009).
Many software development companies have been quick to adopt agile approaches. Thus, agile
methodologies are highly accepted in global developer communities and are speedily entering
academia as well as the global business sector. We decided to take part in the agile digital approach
‘given the growing interest in agile methods and thought it would be beneficial to frame agile
instructional development in order to facilitate meaningful discussion’ (Bratt, 2013). In addition, we
hope to accelerate our design process and foster rapid innovation. Further, digital learning tool testing
and the three arrows model demonstrate our collaboration (Figure 1).
Figure 1: Teamwork via agile learning
CLIL
CLIL, mentioned earlier, “is a dual-focused approach in which an additional language is used to teach
both content and language. That is, in the teaching and learning process, the focus is not solely on
content, nor on language. Each is interwoven with the other, ‘even if the emphasis is greater on one or
the other at a given time’ (Coyle, Hood, & Marsh, 2010, p. 1). CLIL features four main components:
content (subject matter), communication (language learning and use), cognition ([the] learning and
thinking processes) and culture (developing intercultural understanding and global citizenship) (Coyle,
Hood, & Marsh, 2010).
ESD for 2030
ESD for 2030 is a new global framework on Education for Sustainable Development, which was
adapted by UNESCO in 2019 and will officially be launched in 2021. ESD for 2030 aims to build
education systems that support learners to be active contributors to a more sustainable world and
develop a sense of responsibility to facilitate achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
The framework will focus on integrating ESD and the 17 SDGs into policies, learning environments,
teachers and educators, youth, and communities (UNESCO).
Case study – The three arrows model (An integrated and agile learning method)
The case study outlined here is a Japanese language course for international students studying in the
departments of engineering, agriculture and system information sciences at a large-scale, research-led national
university in southern Japan. A total of nine students, including two graduate students and seven
undergraduate students, enrolled in the course. Their nationalities varied: four were Chinese, with others from
Vietnam, Mongolia, Thailand, Taiwan, and South Korea. The course is meant for students with an
intermediate level of Japanese. However, students at the pre-intermediate and advanced levels also took this
course.
The aim of this online Japanese language course was to prepare students for future specialised courses
taught in Japanese. We designed it based on CLIL, whereby students explore a subject and a second
language simultaneously, and ESD for 2030, whereby nine out of the United Nations’ 17 SDGs are
covered. Good practices are included to tackle challenges to be explored in the classroom. The course
is content-focused; students are encouraged to think and learn in Japanese. Through peer-to-peer
learning activities such as discussions, as well as peer reading and responses, students develop
integrated Japanese language abilities. These include expanding vocabulary, improving reading skills
and strengthening essay writing by working on assignments before and after each class.

Findings and Discussion
This section summarises the findings from the results and students’ comments on the questionnaire,
and then attempts an overview of findings centred on this research’s main theme: designing the three
arrows model for digital learning.
Designing The three arrows model
The three arrows model is a multidisciplinary, integrated, team-based method involving a course
coordinator, a digital learning expert, and a teaching assistant, each of whom has different roles (Table
1).
Table 1. Three arrows model teaching project team
Team Members
Roles in this course
Course Coordinator
Is responsible for designing, planning and teaching a course.
Digital Learning
Expert
Is responsible for various tasks related to the development and
implementation of hybrid learning and effective use of digital technology
and digital learning data.
Teaching Assistant
Supports teachers by helping to supervise activities in the classroom or
online, engage students in learning activities and provide extra support
for complete tasks.
The underlying concept involves building swift
Teaching and Learning (T&L) support, working with
experimental Edutech tools, developing learning
content and engaging students through online
experiences, with effective support and a pedagogical
approach (Figure 2). We created the entire course from
scratch in just six weeks. In this time, we designed
online modules, engaged students through a visual
LMS Moodle interface, planned video assignments,
built new modules and redefined virtual assignments.
To support effective, dynamic virtual learning
compared to previous face-to-face class experiences,
our teaching assistant oversaw an entire chat and
virtual collaboration, engaged students through active
Zoom participation, promoted new course ideas, held
Padlet discussions and supported enhanced learner
experiences.
Combining digital learning experiences and support
We explored, piloted and applied various digital tools
to encourage virtual learning, engage students in remote learning and foster student collaboration
(Figure 3).
Figure 3: Digital learning tools as applied to our online experiences
Figure 2: The three arrows model (an
integrated, agile approach)

We defined three simple online applications: before remote lectures (BRL), during remote lectures
(DRL), and after remote lectures (ARL) (Table2).
Table 2. The phases of remote experiences to enhance our digital learning
Online Applications
BRL
• LMS (Moodle): Develop a course design and test tool prototypes
to encourage virtual learning and build an inventory for the course
content, e-assessments, modules and class files.
• Quizlet: Increase vocabulary and take part in discussions in
Japanese.
DRL
• Zoom video conferences: Provides a virtual space that functions
as a classroom.
• Zoom breakout rooms: Encourages students to converse with
peers in Japanese, which helps them to develop their vocabulary
and boosts their participation.
• Apisnote, Post-it app note: Instantly captures and shares notes
with the student team through online activities.
• Media (YouTube, TEDx, Japanese digital media): Enables
continuous learning process, analysis of multimedia files and
discussions.
ARL
• Padlet: Cloud board for building, sharing, publishing and
enhancing effective digital student collaboration. Allows posting
and sharing of media files, group projects and engagement in
online discussions.
Summary of questionnaire results
At the end of the 14 lectures, the course coordinator collected students’ feedback (through a
questionnaire) to obtain their perspective, develop a realistic approach for remote implementation and
identify areas for improvement.
● All 9 students who took this course were very satisfied with the content of this course.
● All 9 students who took this course thought the online CLIL classes were great.
● All 9 students who took this course thought their CLIL experiences were useful.
● 7 students found the activity for learning about SDGs related topics most helpful.
● 6 students found the activity for daily conversation practices, guest speakers’ talks most
helpful.
● 4 students found the activity for thinking about challenging problems and Peer-response most
helpful.
Table 3. Students’ preference for class activities
7
6
6
4
4
3
2
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Learning about SDGs-related topics
Daily Conversation Practice
Guest Speakers' Talks
Thinking about challenging problems
Peer-response (Essay Writing)
Students' presentation
Sharing ideas with other students

The results of the questionnaire showed that overall, students were satisfied with the content of this
course and enjoyed learning through online CLIL courses through various activities using digital
learning applications (Table 3). However, some students shared important insights on how their digital
learning experiences might be improved.
● Discussion is somewhat difficult to do online in my opinion. If there are other ways to discuss
online, then I would like to try them. The peer response was really useful. I believe my essay
improved after I received responses from others. However, I think it can be even better if we
have few minutes to talk and get comments from each other during online lectures. (Student B)
● I could guess since it was an online class, there was a limitation. It would be better if we could
have an example answer (for example, answers by teachers or one of the students) before going
into small groups and sharing ideas within them. Because we normally gave only short answers
and sometimes wanted to say more. (Student C)
Conclusion
The adoption of the three arrows model has significantly challenged us as a team. The adaptability of
virtual remote lectures and open, cross-team collaboration has helped us to create a new service model.
These innovative challenges and the fast, agile use of new educational digital technologies, as well as
the application of online learning frameworks, models and capabilities, have been an adaptive
advantage during this global pandemic. Teamwork efficiency has been an advantage that relies on a
stable digital environment, reinventing the traditional face-to-face context, and quickly acting to
produce a fresh educational model to reshape the digital learning landscape. Further research will
include learning about analytics and obtaining data from our digital platform, which is integrated into
this course (such as Moodle, Zoom, and Padlet). These data will provide us with measurable results
and information to optimise online experiences.
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