Promoting Globalization with Multimedia-based Blended Learning Content in an English Language Classroom in Japan

Japanese universities are in a difficult situation as they struggle to enroll more foreigners and internationalize the student body and the campus environment. One important aspect of such internationalization is to prepare students for a global workplace with adequate corporate awareness and exposure. This paper discussed the broad plan outline for using multimedia-based blended learning content to develop a globalized mindset in an English language research center in a technical university with both product-based knowledge dissemination, and intercultural and organizational communication perspectives. The paper discussed an introductory LMS-based assignment to expose students to the Silicon Valley culture with multimedia, online text readings and intensive and animated in-class lecture. The idea was to explore how students react to the Silicon Valley (SV) culture with an intensive first shot multi-modal stimulation with YouTube videos, infographics and online text as an input. Initial student reactions suggest that the SV impresses upon a relatively positive mindset that should be further pursued and nurtured. Written reactions from students in LMS-based forum indicated a willingness to work in the Silicon Valley, and expand on their imagination as to what such international environment offers.