To make sense of the changes provoked by the COVID-19 pandemic and its immediate aftermath, this paper critically examines digital education policy responses in the context of the 'new realities' faced by schooling. Based on seven case studies contributed by authors from Australia, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Canada, Sri Lanka, two key questions…

As a result of lacking ICT competency and cultural pressures owing to collectivism, it is argued in this paper that the mental health of Japanese Higher Education Institution (HEI) teachers during the COVID-19 Pandemic was at serious risk. This was made worse by the frantic actions of HEIs forcing teachers to work online with little preparation or…

It started with a simple little filler in "USA Today" 25 years ago. It showed a broken student desk with cobwebs on it and offered data on "average yearly absences" in Japan, Germany, and the United States. Assessing my own data, I verified that they were on point and proceeded to discuss why this was a major hurdle for our…

This study examines, through the lens of feminist pedagogy, the reflections of six educators on their teaching practices during and after an international virtual exchange (VE) project. The project involved facilitators in Belgium, Brazil, Japan, and Portugal. Thematic analysis of a focus group discussion and a nine-month email exchange revealed…

Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is helpful for laypersons' decision-making. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of e-learning materials on the essential components of EBM for laypersons. We conducted a web-based, open-label, randomized controlled trial with laypersons in Japan aged [greater than or equal to]20 years who used the internet.…

Purpose: This study examined the role of virtual student mobility (VSM) programs in developing international education partnerships and explored key factors for building successful transnational partnerships. Design/Approach/Methods: Drawing on Yin's case study approach, we explored several VSM programs offered by a Japanese national university in…

This article conceptualises how disruptions to conventional teaching models may lead to innovative practice. We have identified a gap in current knowledge around how innovations in higher education teaching and learning are initiated in times of crises. Disruptive Innovation Theory and Roger's Diffusion of Innovation Theory are used as lenses to…

The COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in unprecedented campus closures and social distancing, has reinforced the value of learning using a virtual teamwork format. While a large body of research focuses on the inputs (members' skills, motivation, technology, and virtuality) and outcomes (satisfaction, performance, and learning) of virtual teamwork, to…

The purpose of this study was to analyse Japanese elementary school teachers' learning experiences during professional development (PD) regarding immigrant parental involvement in physical education (PE) at public schools in Japan. Based on andragogy theory, this study used an explanatory case study research design. Nine Japanese elementary…

With rapid globalization, it is an urgent task for universities in an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) context to provide practical English education. Particularly, one that enables students to participate in the global society as well as the global business market. The challenge for these universities is to achieve this goal with limited class…

This paper presents an investigation into the integration of virtual reality (VR) tours in online English lessons tailored for adult learners. The study utilised a design-based research approach to evaluate the effectiveness of VR tours in this context. It specifically examined the responses of adult learners to this instructional strategy by…

The purpose of this study was to investigate five Japanese graduate (master's level) students' experiences in online courses in international development and peace through sport that used English as the medium of instruction. The study was situated in the framework of andragogy theory and used a descriptive-qualitative design using an in-depth,…

Today's complex problems transcend borders and require a collective and adaptive learning response. Literature suggests that, because the traditional hierarchical or positional style of leadership cannot effectively address problems we face today, leadership should take a more collaborative and systemic form. Rost (1991) characterized this new…

With most research mainly done on the challenges of students in online learning, this study is conducted to go to the personal level of struggles of teachers during the shift of teaching methods from traditional to online. Teachers from different countries (Ghana, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, The United Arab Emirates, the Philippines, Japan, and…

Parasitic infections are declining in Japan, resulting in fewer hours of parasitology instruction in medical laboratory science and medical schools. However, there are growing concerns that the parasite identification skills of medical laboratory technologists and the diagnostic skills of physicians may be compromised as a result. Effective…