Asia ConneXions Utilizing HD Videoconferencing: Final Evaluation Report for the Australian Government's Broadband Enabled Education and Skills Services Program

Abstract

The aim of the Asia ConneXions project was to investigate educational outcomes of connecting thirty Australian schools with thirty schools in Korea, Japan, China, Indonesia, and India using high definition (HD) videoconferencing for culture and language learning. HD videoconferencing required three things: HD videoconferencing equipment in schools, optic fibre broadband connections for the school internet, and the internet speed of 768Kbps bandwidth or above or 512Kbps minimum. This project was funded by the Australian Federal Government's grant of AUD $558,000 through the Broadband Enabled Education and Skills Services (BEESS) program in 2012 - 2015. The connected Australian and Asian schools did videoconferencing sessions throughout the year with the average of 12 sessions per year per school pair; and 440 sessions in total. The results showed the following outcomes: 1) Engagement: 1,204 Australian students actively participated in videoconferencing with 1,221 Asian peers. Australian students enjoyed synchronous videoconferencing with Asian peers. 2) Collaboration: The Australian students and Asian students collaborated with each other by teaching each other and learning from each other. 3) Increased motivation: The real-time interaction with Asian peers increased the Australian students' interest in Asian cultures and Asian languages. 4) New pedagogical practice: Australian teachers integrated the use of HD videoconferencing into their teaching of Asian cultures and languages.