This paper describes the diversity promotion efforts which support students with disabilities and sexual minorities at technical universities. By reference to examples of reasonable accommodation, we have identified that adjusting the balance between reasonable accommodation for students and safety in the experiments and graduation researches might have been important especially at technical universities. The results of the questionnaire conducted for the students indicated that it is important to disseminate the efforts to promote diversity at the university for both the students who need reasonable accommodation and the students who do not need reasonable accommodation in order to enrich their university life. We concluded that it is necessary to provide students the opportunities in which they can accept diverse values and have their own ideas.

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Data science is said to be a complex science of mathematics, statistics, and informatics. In recent years, data science has been expected as a method of decision making based on big data, but this is mainly in the field of informatics. On the other hand, from an engineering point of view, it is necessary to obtain some knowledge with a small amount of data, which can be said to be the field of statistics. Statistics is often educated as a field of mathematics, but it is essentially inductive reasoning, and a part other than mathematics is also important. For this reason, it is desirable that data science education in engineering should be conducted in a well-balanced manner in the three fields of mathematics, statistics, and informatics.

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Construction steel work is the practical skill to manufacture steel structures by using various processing methods, such as cutting, bending, drilling, assembling, welding and so on. It is an essential skill for supporting the development of the steel architectures, such as steel bridges and high-rise buildings and of the machine structures such as large-sized power generating turbines for power plants. Skills for construction steel work has been involved in the National Skills Competition for more than 50 years since the 1st National Skills Competition had been held in 1938. This article describes the introduction of the national competition of the construction steel work held in 2021 and its history since 1938.

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In order to examine the long-term effects of overseas internships, we conducted a questionnaire survey and interviews among working professionals who had done overseas internships in Malaysia in their college days. The educational effects of overseas internships were also analyzed by applying the Community of Practice theory. The results showed that the intercultural communication skills, international awareness, diverse range of perspectives, capacity for adaptability, and coping ability that the participants acquired during their overseas internships were utilized even in their workplaces, and that they worked as global engineers who could carry out their work in a global environment. Thus, we conclude that overseas internships provide a Community of Practice and that the experiences that students acquire in these internships have long-term educational effects.

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The advanced course of National Institute of Technology in Japan was established in Kosen (Japanese colleges of technology) education, 30 years ago. This advanced course is two-year course where higher education based on Kosen education and accepts approximately 1,500 students each year. Graduates of this course have bachelor’s degrees from the National Institution for Academic Degrees and Quality Enhancement of Higher Education (NIAD-QE). This research aims historically consider the progress of this advanced course system and to analyze the quality assurance elements of this advanced course education system from external evaluations.

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Globalization has provoked a controversy over how we should teach engineering ethics. This dispute is arising from the sociocultural differences between the home country of an engineer and the host country of the engineer’s place of appointment. The code of ethics in the engineer’s home country may not consort with the sociocultural situation of the host country. Several approaches have been proposed as a solution to the problem. This study aimed to survey and classify these approaches before proposing a desirable approach. The author focuses on the distinction between reactive and proactive approaches. The study proposes an integrated approach from the reactive approach proposed by Luegenbiehl and the proactive approaches suggested by Mitcham, Harris, and Fudano.

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In the process of designing a modern product, the demands of industrial designers and engineers may conflict. The profession called design-engineer can resolve the conflict. In this study, we proposed a design-engineering-oriented educational method for industrial designers, and introduced it into a postgraduate course. It was objectively confirmed that industrial designers’ experience of engineering development facilitated their understanding of technical difficulty and improved their ability to collaborate with engineers.

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In seminars of informatics faculties and departments, it is desirable for students to understand how to process programming tools so that they can handle programming errors. Unfortunately, it is hard to examine the understanding of each student in remote learning. The students must more or less learn by themselves. We should consider how to promote individual learning for obtaining learning effects equal to or greater than face-to-face learning. For this purpose, we focused on learning materials that used activity diagrams. We investigated the learning effects in error handling before and after reading learning materials on processing programming tools. After the individual learning by using the materials, the number of correct answers was increased regarding the handling of programming error problems.

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PBL (Project Based Learning) is well suited for manufacturing classes. Incorporating a problem-finding element will broaden the scope of completion of the assignment and the sense of accomplishment of the students. However, it is difficult to set the difficulty level of the task, and the design and manufacturing process is prolonged, making repetitive learning difficult. Therefore, a new PBL subject to learn about products and development processes was considered, and the practice and results were reported. In the first report, the educational effectiveness of this subject was confirmed by analyzing the students’ responses to this subject. In the second report, three types of questionnaires were used to confirm changes in students’ attitudes and behaviors due to repeated learning from the perspective of surface and deep psychology. In this report, teachers approached students who were different from previous years as competitors. The impact of this approach on students’ motivation, activities, and artifacts was investigated, and the changes in students were confirmed.

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This study focuses on consensus building in Japanese student and Japanese-international student groups by analyzing data from student discussions. This data demonstrates that the discussions were mainly led by the Japanese students who spoke most frequently, and that at critical junctures in the discussions, there was no clear verbal confirmation of the consensus of the entire group, but rather a tendency to judge that consensus had been achieved as a result of the approval of a portion of the group. The progression of these discussions was based upon unspoken assumptions made by the students. In our global society, high-context debates often lead to misunderstandings, so it important for students to learn more about ways of achieving consensus.

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The purpose of this paper is to “analyze the effect of the difference of the grading target on the learner’s leadership (PM function) in PBL” . We proposed a method in which the decision-making authority of the team is given to the leader, and the leader’s grade is based on the products of all team members, and the leader is rotated. Then, we conducted a comparative study among the classes in which the proposed method was applied from the beginning, not applied, and from the middle. We analyzed the effect of the proposed method on the improvement of learners’ PM function using a questionnaire on leadership scales. The results of the survey showed that the P function improved in all classes with or without the proposed method, and the M function improved only in the class to which the proposed method was applied from the beginning.

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In an online class for first-year students for carrier design, students were given the task of viewing some of six videos related to career design and selecting one video in order to comment on what they found useful. For the two videos on time management, which had a relatively high viewing and selection rates, author assumed that the viewing and selection rates reflected interest and awareness of improvement, and awareness of self-assignment, respectively. In addition, the author extracted the sense of difficulty from the comments. Author inferred the awareness of time management among first-year students based on gender, type of entrance examination, GPA, and timing of assignment responses. The results showed that students with low GPA and those who procrastinated on assignments had a high sense of weakness and self-assignment, however, a low sense of improvement and interest in time management.

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Brain-machine interface (BMI) is an alternative neural pathway to external devices, which is also focused on a new rehabilitation tool for stroke. Some Japanese young students interested in Biomedical Engineering including BMI, however the local area in Japan gives lower opportunity to learn those technologies than the urban area. To overcome the issue, we held an online seminar on BMI. Students in elementary or junior high school, their parents, and general audience participated in the seminar. Basics of electrical and information engineering were introduced. In addition, we demonstrated robot control by BMI. This study assessed the lecture by questionnaire survey. Students over higher grade of elementary students understood and interested in the contents of the seminar. We believe that this seminar contributed to the local area in Japan and motivated most participants to learn Biomedical Engineering.

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It is well-known that the science and technology around us consist of phenomena, including physics, chemistry, biology, and earth science. Therefore, it is essential to understand that engineering is closely connected with natural science. In order to connect natural science and engineering smoothly, we have proposed a transdisciplinary experiment using photosynthesis and fuel cell. In this experiment, students plan the experimental procedure, produce the fuel cell using the fish-scale electrolyte and plant-leaves fuel, measure the properties, and make a presentation. Through this experiment, students will be able not only to learn about science and engineering based on the connection between natural science and engineering but also obtain a sense of accomplishment by conducting their own experiments from planning to presentation.

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In order to improve the ability to design exercise performance, which is the basic performance of traffic machinery, it is important to build an educational program that makes it easy to understand that various exercises are combined. It is also required to be able to prepare at low cost from the viewpoint of building a self-study environment for students to take. The purpose of this study is to develop a motor performance design tool for automobiles using spreadsheet software and to evaluate the learning effect by applying it to education. As a result, it promoted an intuitive understanding of the motor performance of automobiles, and a certain effect was seen in improving performance and promoting extracurricular activities. On the other hand, it was also shown that it is important to use the tool of this research as an introduction tool for beginners.

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We proposed a video chat tool to make it easier for people to understand the atmosphere of a place and talk online. We used an online virtual space that mimics a building floor, and implemented three facial expression functions. They are facial icons to express emotions based on the participants’ facial expressions, facial expression meters installed in the virtual space to convey the atmosphere of each room, and pop-up displays to show the excitement of the room. We applied this tool to online social gatherings and online chatting sessions. From the results of the participants’ questionnaires, it was found that the facial expression icons were effective in conveying the atmosphere of the room, and in facilitating communication among the participants.

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We have developed a practice of physics education to enable students to systematically and deeply learn physics through differential and integral calculus and mechanics, using interactive electronic books and an LMS (Learning Management System), for third year students in national colleges of maritime technology. Using the gallery function of electronic books, we teach a graphical understanding and systematic learning for physical quantities and the laws that connected by differential and integral calculus. As a class exercise, the students took a three-step online examination using the LMS : general concepts of physics (first-step), systematic understandings for physical quantities and the laws (second-step), and fundamental calculations (third-step). From the results of a student questionnaire given after the practice, about 73％ of the students found the electronic books to be helpful. And about 84-89％ of them found the three-step online examinations in the LMS to be useful.

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The goal of this study is to clarify the effect of collaborative ice break on teamwork for application to cross-disciplinary PBL. We examined the effects of collaborative ice breaks for teamwork. According to Result of the experiment, the degree of understanding of the subject’s teamwork did not change significantly before and after the experiment in both the experimental group and the control group. After the third ice break, the experimental group had a higher evaluation of teamwork than the control group. In addition, the teachers’ evaluations of the experimental group’s proposals were generally higher than those of the control group. In particular, the proposals of the experimental group were highly evaluated for their innovation.

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The possibility of using tablet devices is increasing as ICT (Information and Communication Technology) equipment. Tablet devices can also enhance a learning effect on students. For this reason, we introduced an experiment named “Measurement of Light Spectrum” in “Experiments in Physics” at Kagoshima KOSEN. The new experiment requires tablet devices and enables the students to understand the light spectrum. They operate a spectrophotometer with tablet devices and measure light spectrum of various light sources. They find characteristics of the light spectrums while viewing and operating tablet devices. Our follow-up survey after the experiment showed that most of the students were satisfied with the experiment. We also confirmed that it can increase the level of students’ understanding of the light spectrum.

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The development of EV is accelerated toward decarbonization in the world automotive industry. In order to exchange EV from the fossil fuel dependent vehicles, it is necessary for students to learn about the research and development of the non-CO₂ emission type vehicles as soon as possible. In this study, the delivery lecture was carried out concerning the manufacture of the empty can Stirling engine so that upper elementary school students can learn about the effect of the vehicle on global warming. Above all, they were provided an opportunity to investigate several conditions of the displacer for the engine to operate. As a result, the engine operation rate was improved and the children’s motivation to gather information and solve problems was increased.

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In this paper, a universal design shogi game “Fureai Doubutsu Shogi” that can be played only by tactile sense and allows people with a low vision to play with sighted people on an equal condition. From the questionnaire results of the prototype, a majority of people answered that it was useful for the training of spatial grasp and memory. In addition, it was found that it could help the communication beyond the existence of the barrier between students.

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The 2nd Female Students Attitude Survey was conducted in 2020. The survey results, firstly, made clear that in order to expand the access of female students, it is important to have an interest in and motivation for science and mathematics subjects in secondary education. Secondly, it became clear that female students are raising their career consciousness. The number of female students who have the plan to go on to graduate school has increased, and the reason has changed from interests to career development. However, increasing career consciousness has also increased the importance of role models for female students. Further efforts in this regard are needed.

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Because of the global spread of COVID-19 starting at the end of 2019, university classes in Japan were taught online in the 2020 academic year. However, in the 2021 academic year, a flexible response approach to increases in COVID-19 cases was adopted. At our university, too, we have begun to offer so-called “high-flex” or “hybrid” classes, which combine in-person and online instruction. In this study, we analyzed how students use the learning support system in the high-flex classes. The results showed that the usage of the learning support system among students in the high-flex class was not significantly different from that among students in the in-person class and the fully asynchronous online class. The learning styles of the students were classified according to Felder’s learning style model, and the usage of each component of the learning support system was examined. Students who used the video viewing system for a long time had a “sequential” style. Students who used the law texts learning system for a long time had “active” and “global” styles. Students who used the practice system for a long time had “active” and “sensing” styles. Next, we analyzed whether or not students used subsystems according to their own learning styles. The results showed that students who used the subsystem corresponding to their learning styles performed well, while those who used a subsystem different from their learning styles did not perform as well, even if they used the subsystem for a long time. Therefore, it was considered that students should be guided to use the subsystem according to their learning styles.

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Kanazawa Institute of Technology applies PBL to the backbone of its curriculum, and names it Project Design Program to grow up students into independently minded and actively engaged engineers. Through the Project Design courses for freshmen and sophomores, students construct teams and carry out problem-finding and problem-solving activities. To solve their problem, they need to find out the true cause of the problem. Therefore we have introduced “Five Whys” into the Project Design courses to find out about it efficiently. Furthermore, we developed “Five Whys Cardgame” to make it easier to understand the concept of “Five Whys” . And we introduce application cases of “Five Whys Cardgame” for the Project Design course for freshmen.

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In the standard task “Embedded system construction task training” of the department of production electronic information systems technology in NOKAIDAI, a series of “manufacturing” efforts such as “planning, design, production, evaluation, presentation” as the production theme “embedded system using communication technology” is carried out as a group work. However, there are some students who cannot work on their own initiative. Therefore, in order to solve this problem, we developed preliminary lessons for standard tasks including its teaching materials considering the intrinsic motivation, conducted the lessons, and verified the effects.

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Five universities in northern Kyushu collaborate to hold a debate class in the training camp style. The debate class has been carried out as a part of “Program for Promoting Inter-University Collaborative Education” supported by MEXT until 2016. After this program, we continue to carry out the debate class every year. It is planned and operated by eight graduate students as secretaries, from selection of debate themes to operation on the day. Thus, students can cultivate the ability of planning, design, collaboration, and communication. However, due to the pandemic of COVID-19, we must switch the debate class from the training camp style to the online style. In this report, we mention the outline of debate class and comparison between these two styles.

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This report details the results of an online discussion meeting held with International Exchange Program alumni to discuss their careers, one of the alternative programs that has been implemented since COVID-19 has made International Exchange Program overseas visits unfeasible. While less transformative than actually visiting the overseas workplaces of program graduates, participants exhibited a more positive perception towards overseas work opportunities after the discussion meeting. In addition, learning about the post-graduation lives of alumni who had graduated from the same program was beneficial for participants in considering their own future career.

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Cyber security knowledge and operational skills for computer utilization are essential for engineers in today’s society. In KOSEN that aims to train engineers, the implementation of college-wide cyber security education is a crucial issue. In fiscal year 2020, the authors held two cyber security education lectures for students in order to raise students’ awareness of cyber security at NIT Yonago College. The lectures included not only the classroom lectures but also practical cyberattack and defense exercises using real intrusion tools. This paper reports an overview of the cyber security education by students, the developed teaching materials, results of the questionnaire analysis to participants, and future prospects and issues.

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