Korean Exchange, Big Success!
Today we carried out activities via Webcam with Kyoto University and Korea!A total of 32 kids and 20 local volunteer staff participated.
"Nazoren", which we tried for the first time previously, was well received by both Japan and Korea. Nazoren is a word association game where you guess the answer from 5 hints.
It's a very simple game, using the "Language Grid Project" Language Grid Toolbox's machine translation system we can check whether each other are being understood and enter hints and answers in the chat.
"Passport", "baseball" etc. the groups tried their hardest to think which hints would convey this. One team answered "Pangaea" with the first hint "friendship".
Yumi was deeply moved, saying that "I want to give them bonus points". ("Friend" was the answer to the second hint "Best friend").
In the second half we asked each other questions we wanted to know by machine translation chat.
On the post-event survey there were comments like, "I learned a lot about Japan", "Korea seems fun, I want to visit" and "I want to meet and play in person", telling of a fun day.
Volunteer Guts gave the comment, saying that "For the first time in ages I felt happy".
"Guts" seems to have got this name from the kids.
Furthermore, he said that one of the kids that drew an angry mark next to the Korean flag on the pre-event questionnaire, on the post event questionnaire put an "&" between Korea and Japan's flags.
I'm glad that after only 3 hours of activities the kids' feelings can change.
Kadoppe, who has participated 10 times up to now as Technical leader, said that today was the most fun Webcam activity so far. The network was disconnected twice but without anyone being made to feel it, he got us through without incident with calm handling. Kadoppe, participating in this year's prize for attendance, feels a close connection to the kids' development.
Hearing this after the activities, I became tearful. Returning to the office, chatting with Toshi who had participated in Korea, I cried.
Actually, today was the first time that even Pangaea has had an event in 4 different locations on the same day. (Japan – Kyoto, Mie, Korea and Malaysia)
Mie University's FL Spike, in co-operation with Mie's staff carried out the activities very well. I heard that he arranged things while speaking so that it would become an activity the kids could concentrate on and enjoy. He is incredibly reliable.
Pangaea is progressing everyday with the support of the kids and all of the staff.
I am very happy that I am able to be involved in these activities.
Takekazu Hanada a.k.a Hana-pooh
Chief Administrative Officer
Furthermore, he said that one of the kids that drew an angry mark next to the Korean flag on the pre-event questionnaire, on the post event questionnaire put an "&" between Korea and Japan's flags.
I'm glad that after only 3 hours of activities the kids' feelings can change.
Kadoppe, who has participated 10 times up to now as Technical leader, said that today was the most fun Webcam activity so far. The network was disconnected twice but without anyone being made to feel it, he got us through without incident with calm handling. Kadoppe, participating in this year's prize for attendance, feels a close connection to the kids' development.
Hearing this after the activities, I became tearful. Returning to the office, chatting with Toshi who had participated in Korea, I cried.
Actually, today was the first time that even Pangaea has had an event in 4 different locations on the same day. (Japan – Kyoto, Mie, Korea and Malaysia)
Mie University's FL Spike, in co-operation with Mie's staff carried out the activities very well. I heard that he arranged things while speaking so that it would become an activity the kids could concentrate on and enjoy. He is incredibly reliable.
Pangaea is progressing everyday with the support of the kids and all of the staff.
I am very happy that I am able to be involved in these activities.
Takekazu Hanada a.k.a Hana-pooh
Chief Administrative Officer
Posted by: kumakinoko | 1. Activity Report
