2016 Volume 32 Issue 2 Pages 64-71
Abstract In Japan, dental schools have actively organized many short-term international exchange programs for their undergraduates in recent decades. To support the learning process of English and Japanese non-native participants in international short-term stay programs without supervising teachers from home schools, we have prepared specific course sites on our online learning support system in Hiroshima University. The course sites have program information and functions for submitting assignments, peer review, chat rooms, etc. We have improved the course sites and programs of the system over the years since 2012. Since 2013, the sites have been available for the participants during their stay in Hiroshima and also 1 month before and after the program. Application of the online learning support system has improved participants’ attitude toward preparation and review. In 2014, there was a positive correlation between participants’ time using the system and their scores in the program. In 2015, we made learning using the system compulsory for the participants, and continued making updates more carefully. The results of this study showed that education based on information by online learning support systems will also help us collaborate with other dental schools on not only international exchange programs but also domestic exchange programs.
