Collaborative Learning Abroad

2015

Life Space + Healthcare Technology:
Ideas for the Future
Chiba University, JAPANMultimedia University, MALAYSIA

ealthcare & Technolog

GlobalStudy
ProgramTopic and Research QuestionsJapan is often recognized as an aging society.
Indeed, as of 2015, 26.7% of its population
is over 65 years old, and, according to a 2016
white paper of the Cabinet Office, it is estimatedthat this percentage will continue to grow in thenext couple of decades. Given the situation, thegovernment and various institutions in different
areas including but not limited to medicine,technology and education, have been tacklings o m e o f t h e c u r re n t a n d u p c o m i n g i s s u e s
related to the aging population of the country.

Adding on to the experience and knowledge
gained from previous GSPs (e.g. health andsafety smartphone applications for people in
Melaka, Malaysia), this year’s GSP aimed tofoster a better understanding of and criticalperspectives on the application of technologyt o t h e i m p ro v e m e n t o f l i v i n g s p a c e s . T h i s
was achieved through a partially experiential
engagement in two localities: Danchi andDanran (a daycare facility). Equipped withthe fundamental knowledge and backgroundi n f o r m a t i o n re l e v a n t t o t h i s y e a r ' s t h e m eprovided during the pre-course education,
students concentrated on doing field research,generating ideas, trying their ideas and refining
them throughout the main course.

Along with the aging of residents, Japan is
also encountering an aging of its housing
facilities. Decrepit single houses and public
apartment complexes (hereafter Danchi) built
during the period of rapid economic growth after
the 1950s have been prominent particularly inthe outskirts of Tokyo and other suburban areas.
The Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure,
Transport and Tourism and different non-/forprofit organizations have been working on
the revitalization of these buildings and of thesurrounding areas by, for example, remodelingrooms and providing daily support systems.

S

tudents were continuously challenged by
local stakeholders, faculty and peers ofdifferent academic and cultural backgrounds
to rethink their ideas. In this process, theylearned multiple, logical, reflexive and criticalperspectives which they needed when applyinga t e c h n o l o g y, o r c r e a t i n g a n e w p r o d u c tcollaboratively. Indeed, not just focusing on
what a technology can do, but identifying “needs
and seeds” in a target population by asking[ethnographic] questions (e.g. Green & Bloome2015), like “what kind of people can use it,
when, for what reasons, under what condition,in what kind of environment,” is an essential
process of learning in collaboration with not
only peers but also with locals.

G

lobal Study Program (GSP), a short-term
international collaborative study abroad
program organized by Chiba University with its
partner universities since 2011, was held thisyear with Multimedia University (Malaysia) in
Chiba (Japan). The theme was “Life Space and
Healthcare Technology: Ideas for the Future.”
1

Green, J. & Bloome, D. (2015). Ethnography and ethnographers of and ineducation: A situated perspective. In Flood, J., Heath, S. B., & Lapp, D. (Eds.),
Handbook of research on teaching literacy through the communicative andvisual arts. New York: Macmillan Publishers, pp. 181-202

日

本 は 高 齢 化 社 会 で あ る と よ く 耳 に す る だ ろ う。 内

千葉市におけるヘルスケアと住居・生活の現状の学習、さ閣府の「平成 28 年度版高齢社会白書」によれば、

らに実際にデイケアサービス「だんらんの家」と千葉市高2015 年の時点で実に人口の 26.7% が 65 歳以上となっ

洲第二団地で参加型のリサーチをすることで、より実践的ており、高齢者の割合は今後も数十年は増え続けるという。

かつ批判的視点からテクノロジーの応用を捉えることを目

そのため、政府以外にも医療、工学、教育など様々な分野指した。事前授業では Skype 等を用いながら、基礎的なにおいて、現在また今後の高齢化社会の課題を改善するた学術知識やターゲットとなる地域や場の背景について学習

めに色々な取り組みをしている。

した上で、実際に MMU が千葉に来る２週間を協働フィー一

ルドリサーチ、アイデア生成、現場に関わる人たちとのア方、高齢化の問題は生活空間自体に関してもいえる

イデアについての検討、そしてグループでのアイデアの生ことである。50 年代以降の高度成長期に建設され成に当てた。

た家々や団地の老朽化は、東京圏郊外やその他の多くの地

医域で抱えている問題である。国土交通省や多くの NPO 団
体により、高齢者向けに建物の改修や日常生活へのサポートなどが実施されている。

G

療・介護工学の分野では、介護ロボットや医療補助機器など、様々な技術開発が日々なされてきている。

しかしながら、その開発や実用化においては、様々な制約がかかる。例えば、費用、使い易さ、大きさ、社会倫理など、

lobal Study Program (GSP) は、2011 年から千葉

単純に技術的に可能であるということでなく、人々の生活

大学が様々な協定校と開講している短期国際協働学やその空間に適しているのかということは、大きな課題と習プログラムである。昨年度は健康と安全に関わるスマー

されている。異なる学術・文化・社会的背景をもつ現場のとフォンアプリケーションというテーマで、マレーシアの人たち、教員また学生らと交わりながら、自分たちのアイ

マルチメディア大学（MMU）で開催したが、2015 年度

デアの練り直しを繰り返すことで、テクノロジーの応用（あは MMU を千葉に招いての実施となった。本年度のテーマ

るいは何か新しい製品制作など）の際に必要な多角的、論は「生活空間とヘルスケアテクノロジー」とし、千葉大学

理的、省察的、批判的視点を養うことを目指した。その際と MMU の学生の混成グループが、人口と建物という二つには、人類学的手法であるエスノグラフィで用いる問いでの高齢化の課題における様々な規制や制限を念頭に、実際ある「どんな人たちが、いつ、何の理由で、どういった状の生活の場と生活者の現状をより改善するアイデアを出す

況で、どういう環境で利用するのか」を常に考えることで、ことを目標とした。

対象となる利用者らのニーズ（必要性）を理解した上で、前シーズ（種）を考えた。単に学生同士で協働的に学ぶだけ
年度マレーシアで実施した GSP での経験と知識をでなく、フィールドにおける様々な関係者らとの協働学習

もとに、本年度はマレーシアや日本の状況の比較、という意味で、このプロセスは不可欠であったといえる。

2

Pre-Course

Schedule of Activities
Day

Contents				

17 DecOrientation

24 FebDr. Yu on “Designing Home Healthcare Device System: Viewpoints and Cases”

10 Jan
5 Feb

7 Mar

Virtual Lecture: “Cultural Presentation”
Virtual Lecture: "Material Sheets"(skype session with MMU)
Dr. Suzuki on “Tasks and Efforts in Japan's New Towns” (skype session with MMU)

8 Mar

Cultural Presentation Workshop 1
Mr. Yamaguchi on “Issues and Status Quo of Elderly Care Center” (video for MMU)

9 Mar

Dr. Gaitanidis on “Medical Technologies & the Elderly in Living Space: The Human

Material Sheet Workshop
Factor” (video for MMU)

Main Course

Cultural Presentation Workshop 2
March
14
15
16
17
18
19

welcome party in Odaiba			Group presentations on Japanese and Malaysian cultures, workshop on “culture”
Mr. Funago on "ALS and Technology" and field research 1 in Danran (Higashi-Chiba
and Takahama)

20
21
22
23
24

Dr. Lim Way Soon and Dr. Lim Chot Hun on "Status Quo and Issues Surrounding theElderly in Malaysia"
Field research 1 at Danchi (UR Takasu Daiichi)
Workshop and mid-presentation 1
Free dayWorkshop and Field research 2 at Danran/Danchi
Workshop and Field research 3 at Danran/Danchi
Workshop and mid-presentation 2

28

Departure of MMU students from Japan

25
26
27

Post-Course

Arrival of MMU students and extracurricular activities
Cultural Presentation Workshop
Guided visit of the Edo-Tokyo Museum and Mirai Science Museum, and		

12 JulLocal Scientific Comittee•

Dr. Yu Wenwei (Chiba U.), medical engineering on home healthcare device system; mediator for•

Dr. Suzuki Masayuki (Chiba U.), architecture of housing and community revitalization; mediator forengineering lab visits, Mr. Funago’s talk and field research at Danran.
field research in Danchi

This program would not have happened without the following
collaborators (in alphabetical order):••••Dr. Agata (Chiba U.) and his staff of WiCAN “Danchiba” events in Danchi•

Mr. Yamaguchi (Nemotaka Service), Mr. Yamada, the staff and users of Danran-no-Ie in Higashi-•

Dr. Yu’s staff and students at Engineering labs at Chiba U.

Mr. Funago (Earth Co.), Ms. Sazuka (Earth Co.), members of Team FunaGO, and Dr. Suwa (Chiba U.)
Mr. Funazuka (UR) and his staff at UR Takasu Daiichi Danchi
Prof. Tokita (Chiba U.), Mr. Yahiro (AIST), Dr. Uruma (Chiba U.), Dr. Kawahira (Chiba U.), Dr. Motomura(AIST) and staff of the health booth event “Kenko Yatai” at Danchiba
Chiba & Takahama, and Dr. Ishimaru (Chiba U.)

Organizing Committee
•
•
•
•
•

Shao-Kobayashi, Satoko (Chiba U.)
Igarashi, Hiroki (Chiba U.)
Gaitanidis, Ioannis (Chiba U.)
Lim, Way Soon (MMU)
Lim, Chot Hun Dave (MMU)

Final presentation preparation
Final presentations and pamphlet making
Farewell party at Chiba U.

Feedback by Dr. Suzuki
Student Reflection on GSP (skype session with MMU)

3

4

Conceptual Components of Program
Design, space+ community(Dr. Suzuki)

MedicalEngineering(Dr.Yu)Understanding main
research field contexts

Danranadmin(Mr.Yamaguchi)

Building academic
frameworks
Medicalanthropology(Dr. Gaitanidis)

Danchi admin(Mr.Funazuka)

事

reliminary education aimed to built 1) a basis ofcollaborative learning, and logical and critical

Tech & care(Mr. Funago)
Gaining information andangles of a topic
New tech
History of
ideas
living space(Mirai Science(Edo-Tokyo
Museum)Museum)Danran

前教育は二つの構成要素を中心としており、１）協働学習、論理性、批判的視点の基礎を文化紹介準備において身につける、２）テーマに関して異なる観点から基礎知

thinking through preparation of cultural presentations,and 2) basic knowledge on the topic from different

識を身につける、という事に焦点を当てた。後者に関しては、

angles. Aside from listening to lectures with different
angles of vision, students engaged in collecting

多角的に講義を受けるだけでなく、日本、マレーシア、そのspace and elderly care in Japan, Malaysia andother parts of the world. Also, they read up on basic

また、フィールドリサーチ先であるだんらんの家と UR 団地

他の国々における斬新なテクノロジー、生活空間や介護について、自分たちで情報収集し、マテリアルシートを作成した。

information related to innovative technology, living

Healthcare
Technology

DanchiPについて、基本情報を事前準備の段階で学習した。

information about the two main research fields:
Danran and Danchi.

メI

インプログラムでは、まず生活空間の歴史（江戸東京博物館）やテクノロジーに関係する場（例：未来科学

博物館、ロボット・医療工学研究室）を訪問した。その後、n the main program, at first, students had learned

about the history of living space (Edo-Tokyo
Museum) and new technology (Mirai Science

だんらんの家と団地でのフィールドリサーチとワークショッ

Then they visited research sites (Danran and Danchi).
Students were asked to suggest specific technology

考えることが課された。全学生が両方のフィールド先をまずプのサイクルに集中した。学生らには、各フィールド先で取り入れられるようなシテクノロジー（システム及び機器）をMuseum and robotics medical engineering labs).

訪問し、互いの現場の状況、共通点や差異を理解するようにした。それから、３つのグループはだんらんの家、その他の

ideas (system or machinery) to each research context.
Initially, all students visited both research sites inorder to share the knowledge of each other’s contexts
and of different/common issues these sites withheld.
Then, three groups focused on Danran and the otherthree on Danchi. Feedback between groups wasmade possible by pairing each group from one sitewith a group from the other site. Students visited theirresearch sites on three separate days to consult withlocals, and refine their ideas through workshops. In
this process, students collaborated not only with eachother, but also with people in the fields.

Course Cycle

３つのグループは団地に焦点を当てるようにした。異なる
フィールド先をあてがわれたグループ同士がピアグループとなり、互いにフィードバックをするように組む事で、協働を多く起こすようにした。学生らは３回同じフィールド先に戻り現場の人たちと話し合い、その間にワークショップをしながら、アイデアの再構築を繰り返した。この過程を通し、学生間で協働するだけでなく、フィールド先の人たちとの協働も最終プロダクトへ導く大きな要素となった。

Material Sheets

Pre-course
education

CHIBA

http://www.ur-net.go.jp

千葉市

http://danrannoie.com/home/higashichiba.html

Danran-no-Ie is a private franchise company,
offering a single-house cozy day service for theelderly. Higashi-Chiba and Takahama offices
are part of a branch, Nemotaka Service. Limited
human, financial and architectural resources,
frequent change of rules by the government are
major challenges for each office, on top of their
daily tasks to make the place safe and enjoyablefor the elderly users.

Like many other formerly public Danchi built
after 50s, Takasu Daiichi Danchi is managed
by UR (Urban Renaissance Agency). These
commonly five-story apartment complexes
withhold a large population of over-65-year-old
residents. UR and NPO attempt to match theresidents' needs by providing elderly-friendly
rooms, delivery service etc., but human andfinancial resources are limited.

だんらんの家は一戸建て住宅の介護施設を展開するフランチャイズ企業。東千葉と高浜事業所（ネモタカサービスが統括）では、日々の安心で安全なサービスに加え、資金、
人的資源、建物の制限や朝令暮改等が課題とされている。

UR 高州第一団地は 65 歳以上の居住者が顕著で、UR や

NPO が高齢者向け住宅、宅配サービスなどを提供しているが、資金繰りや人的資源の限界等が課題となっている。

5

Learn basic
skills + perspectives

Cultural Presentations

Lectures

Gain basic knowledge

Field researchWorkshop

Shape "final"
idea

Refine an idea

Healthcare
Technology

MainprogramGenerate ideas

WorkshopUnpack info

Check in the field
6

Pre-Course
LecturesMD

r. Yamaguchi introduced issues faced at
his six daycare centers for elderly withvarying degrees of dementia at Danran. Eachcenter is required to have a dining room andother particular areas so that they can provide
a comfortable space for their elderly clients.
However, there are some issues -- steps leading
to the entrance increase the risk of accident,
and a bathroom space is small. Also, someus e rs ha v e t e n de n c y t o w a n de r o ff du r in gtheir stay, and legislation of daycare facilities,
enforced by the local government, is subject tofrequent modifications and updates. Through Mr.
Yamaguchi’s lecture, we learned these issues
are common at many small daycare centers.
(Benny & Yoshitaka)r. Yu's lecture was on robots and technology
in healthcare. Advanced technology suchas biomedical robotics and medical engineeringis c r u ci al an d essen ti al t o s o l v e p ro b l e m s
associated with aging, which is a serious andimportant issue in Japan. Dr. Yu explained about
robots that he had developed such as telecare support robots, which automatically follow
patients. Another aspect of his lecture was how
needs and constraints affect the design variables.
In particular, his concepts, “needs and seeds”
were very useful for thinking about potentials ofinnovation. These concepts made us think of thelimitations of cost, environment, ethics, physicalability of the patient and cultural readiness.
(Kazuomi & Che Kok)D

D

r. Gaitanidis's lecture was titled “Medical
technologies and the elderly in living
space.” We learned the importance of gathering
information from various sources in order to
identify issues. Particularly, information collectedfrom fieldwork is quite important. His lecture
also showed us some issues to consider such asliving space, aging, technological stereotypes,
and different perspective towards technologicalfacilities. We learned that some technology cameto be accepted to fulfill purposes for users thatengineers didn’t initially envision. This madeus think that the existing technology has wide
potentials to be used for different purposes. This
perspective became useful to invent ideas for the
final project. (Yusuke & Zhi Hao)r. S u z u k i d e l i v e re d h i s l e c t u re o n t h ehistory and status quo of Danchi. He also
discussed some topics in real estate like living
quarters, community and life-styles. He said
that the Danchi played an important role in thedevelopment of the Japanese economy. So if
one understands the history of Danchi, they
will be able to understand the economic historyof Japan. In his lecture, Dr. Suzuki focused on
the issues related to the elderly and their living
space, such as narrow stairs and old facilities.
Dr. Suzuki’s framework built along the “soft vs.
hard” and “town-based vs. individual-based”
axis, helped us brainstorm ideas and concernsthat might arise during the fieldwork for this GSP.
(Ryoto & Jiaxin)
7

兪

山先生の講義：すでに知られている通り、日本では高齢化社会 の問題は深刻で重大なものになっていま

口 さ ん の 講 義： 千 葉 市 で 6 つ の 介 護 施 設、 団 ら んの家の統括管理者である山口さんからお話を頂きます。この課題に対応するためにバイオロボティックスや医した。この介護施設は、ダイニング、機能訓練室、家具な工学といった発展的技術は必要不可欠です。兪先生はこのどの運営に必要な施設を備え、利用者に快適な環境および領域についての講義と、ロボットの事例紹介して下さりま

その施設を提供している一方で、様々な課題があるとのこした。その一つが自動的に患者を追跡する遠隔ケア支援ロとでした。例えば、出入り口や浴室などにある段差が転倒ボットで、これはお年寄りの補助につながる研究です。そなどの事故のリスクとなっていたり、化粧室と浴室がとての他、私たちにとって重要だったことは、どのように需要も狭いという点です。また、利用者の一部には介護施設をと制約がデザインの多様性に影響するかということです。

抜け出し徘徊してしまったり、自治体の介護施設に関する

特に、需要と発想という概念が大変有益でした。この概念法律がよく変更するという点もあるとのことでした。そのを通して、コストや環境、ロボットに対する倫理感、患者ため、介護施設にはたくさんの課題があり、お年寄りのの身体的、精神的側面といった制約を考えなければないこ

介護ためにも解決されるべき点があることを学びました。

とを学びました。( 和臣 & Zi Guo)

（Benny & 佳孝）

鈴ヤ

木先生より団地の歴史と現状について講義を受けました。また、団地内のコミュニティや生活に焦点をニス先生の講義では、問題点に気付くためにはまず様々な分野の資料を集めることが重要であり、より当て、いくつか問題点を取り上げました。団地は日本の経良い解決策に導くためにはフィールドワークで得られた情

済や生活の歴史を語る上で欠かせないものであり、そこに報も必要であることを学びました。高齢者のための空間ス

日本社会が抱える課題が多く存在しています。団地というペースと医療技術を通して、生活空間、高齢化、技術の固

日本の住宅事例を事前に両国の学生が学ぶことで、お互い定概念といった技術や施設に対して異なる視点で考える必に新たな発見や疑問点を把握でき、GSP 本番ですぐに協要があるいくつかの課題を示していただきました。本来技働学習に取り組むことができました。団地内に住む高齢者

術者視点で開発されたものが、他の目的でしようされていの生活と、狭い階段や古い設備などを結びつけ、高齢者がることを例に、既存の技術も、他の目的で使用することが団地に住み続けるという状況から想定される課題を２つの可能であるかもしれないことを学びました。この視点が本軸—ソフト面とハード面、そして個人と街）で考え分類し

授業でのテクノロジーのアイデアを出すため重要なものとました。課題を分類することでより実現可能な解決案を出なりました。（祐介＆ Zhi Hao）

すのに大いに役立ったと思います。（諒士＆ Jiaxin）

8

Main Program: Day 4

Cultural Presentations

Main Program: Day 5

Lecture by Mr. FunagoWM

e began to prepare for our culturalpresentation based on virtual lectures during
the preliminary course. Our group was composedof three members from each university. We
focused not only on our similarities and differences
between our national cultures such as festival,
food, landmark, and clothes, but also on our
logic. We managed to discuss our presentation
through SNS services such as LINE, Facebook andSkype. Despite the tight schedule and physicaldistance between us, we took the time to interact
and work together on the assignment. After
MMU students came to Japan, we continued thediscussion face to face and deepen our argument
more. Subsequently, we were able to finalize ourslides after consulting with our faculty members.
In the end, we were able to understand different
perspectives of culture, which could not be learned
from Wikipedia or guidebooks. (Flona & Takanatsu)

r. Yasuhiko Funago, a man who suffersfrom amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS),
which has left his entire body paralyzed except
for his face, gave us a lecture. His dream ofplaying guitar was realized by collaborating withan engineer to design and build a guitar that canbe played by contracting facial muscles. Whenhe started playing this custom-made guitar, both
Mr. Yasuhiko and the engineer burst into tearsof happiness, having realized the importance ofmatching the design with the need. Mr. Funago
said that what he found out through many yearsof struggling with disability is that “Everyone
will be disabled one day.” With age comes lossof function. Engineers have to create with thedisabled in mind. He taught us that the mostimportant thing is to understand what people
with disability really need. (Soraya & Hui Qi)

A

9

LS を患い、顔以外、全身が現在麻痺している舩後靖彦オ

日する前から、各大学から３名ずつのグループを構成し、ターを再び引くことで、ついに顔の動きだけで弾けるギターが文化紹介プレゼンの準備が始まりました。テーマは、各グルー

彼の為に開発されました。そのギターと初めて対面した時、プで関心のあるものが選ばれ、フェスティバル・食・名所・衣彼自身と開発者は本当に舩後さんが欲しがっていたものを実ンラインで実施された講義に基づき、ＭＭＵの学生が来さんが我々の為に講演を開いてくれました。彼の夢はギ服に決まりました。マレーシアと日本の間の文化の共通点や相現できたという歓喜の涙を共にしたそうです。これは障がいを違点に注目するだけでなく、論理的な展開が出来るよう心掛けもつ人にとって、本当に欲しいものが実現できたという意味でました。そのため、LINE、Facebook、Skype などの SNS

最も嬉しかったという事です。障害を患ってきた長年の経験かを駆使して、議論する必要がありました。期末テストと重なるら舩後さんは、「何人もいつか必ず障害を患う」といいます。

など、厳しいスケジュールのなか、限られた時間を有効に使い誰も歳をとり、歳をとるほど、多くの問題を抱える。そして工ました。MMU の学生が来日した後は、先生方の意見を参考

学というのは本当に障害者に寄り添って新しいものを生み出すにしつつ、効果的に議論を深め合うことができました。その結べき。まず、最初に我々は何を必要とされているかに向き合い、果、Wikipedia やガイドブックに載っていない、異なる文化やそして対象者に寄り添って考えていかなくてはならないという文化の見方の理解を深めることができました。
（Flona & 嵩夏）

最も大切なことを学びました。( 昊哉 & Hui Qi)

10

Main Program: Day 9 & 10

Main Program: Day 5

Danran Visit 1

Danran Visit 2 & 3W

e separated to visit two daycare facilities
of Danran in Higashi-Chiba and Takahama
for our fieldwork. Both of these Danran are nicely
decorated with their elderly clients’ handicrafts.
To understand the daily routine, we joined some
activities such as stretching exercises withthe elderly clients. After that, the group in the
Higashi-Chiba Danran made crystal bottles andthe group in Takahama’s Danran made dorayaki.
Staff brought us around the facilities, and we
asked questions about how the staff support
the elderly and what difficulties they face (e.g.
privacy issues in each room and slippery floors inthe bathroom). We learned how a private houseis transformed into a day care house, which wasvery interesting. This fieldwork trip was helpful toidentify issues that employees and clients of the
daycare center face. (Tinglin & Chia Yee)

私達は介護施設の調査のため、二つのグループに分かれ、それぞれ東千葉と高浜のだんらんの家でフィールワークを行いました。施設入居者の高齢者の日常を理解するために、軽い運動を一緒に行いました。また、東千葉の方では小物を作り、高浜の方ではどら焼きを作ってだんらんの家での生活を体験しました。その後スタッフと一緒に各部屋を回り、それぞれの部屋で気付いた点やどんな困っている事があるか、またそれに対してどんなサポートをしているかを質問しました。特に浴室をはじめとする水回りや使用者のプライバシーに関する課題が多くあることに気付きました。また私達は同時に民家を介護施設に変える際の多くの工夫に気付きました。このフィー
ルドリサーチによって、現場で実際に直面している課題を発見することができました。（廷林 & Chia Yee）

11

T

he purpose of this second and third day offieldwork at Danran is to introduce our groups’
ideas for tackling the issues we learned abouton our first visit to the staff and receive their
feedback. During our visits, we explained ouridea for a monitoring system to help keep track ofthose clients who have tendency to wander off.
Mr. Yamaguchi commented that an installation
at the entrance is enough and it would be good
if the system is not costly. Moreover, responses
received from other staff members were not all
positive. During these two fieldwork days, weobserved several things in detail. For example,
the elderly people’s well-being, structural design
and general environments. We felt thankful for theopportunity to further visit these places because
we could reflect on our initial ideas and findother issues that we could help solve for our final
products. (Takeshi & Janet)

このフィールドワークでは、だんらんの家に潜んでいる課題から得た私たちの課題解決のアイデアを紹介し、施設の方からフィードバックをもらうことでした。私達のグループは施設入居者の方が施設から出て徘徊してしまうという問題から、
監視システムの案を提唱しました。山口さんから頂いたフィードバックでは、それは入口につけるだけで良く、もしそのシス
テムがコストがかからなければ素晴らしいとのことでした。また他のスタッフの方からはこの案は好ましくないとの反応を頂きました。だんらんの家では、施設入居者方の状態、家のデ
ザイン、雰囲気等、細かい様々なことを見ることができました。
だんらんの家に何度も訪問出来たことで 自分たちのアイデアを省察したり、潜んだ課題を発見したりでき、解決のためのよ
り良い考えを練り直すことができました。（勇志 ＆ Janet）

12

Main Program: Day 9 & 10

Main Program: Day 6

Danchi Visit 2 & 3

Danchi Visit 1
MA

団

かの違いはあれど、マレーシアと日本の借家での家賃

1

人が現在の生活に満足していて、多くの方々が日々の生活がを払う体制が似ていることでした（Shan）。実際に団地に行っ

変わってしまうことに抵抗感を持っており、変化を望んでいて初めて、そこでの生活を理解することができました（哲）。

ないと分かりました。このとき私達の考えは実際に住んでい団地は高齢者向けに建て替えられており、その建て替えサーる人と視点があまりにも違い、利用者側の立場に立っていな

ビスが団地の経営によって引き受けられていることに私たちかったと気付かされ、自分たちの考えの甘さを痛感しました。

は驚きました。日本では一人暮らしの高齢者が増えており、

その後フィードバックを元にアイデアを改善し続けました。

その多くが孤立していると聞きます。そのため住人にイン

このフィールドリサーチは思った以上に大変でしたが、新しタビューをして、多くの高齢者の方が現在の暮らしに満足しい物の見方と、想像力豊かに問題解決に臨む姿勢を学ぶことていると知った時は意外に思えました。更にインタビューをができ、貴重な経験となりました。主な利用者であるお年寄

通して、その団地では定期的に健康診断やスポーツイベント

りと同じ目線で何が必要かを考え、利用者の声に耳を傾けるなど、様々な取り組みも行われていることも分かりました。

こと、そしてチームメンバーと協働してアイデアを出し合う(Shan & 哲 )ことも同様に重要だと思いました。（優喜子 & Zheng You）

y (Shan) first impression of the Danchi
was that it was somehow similar to theflat system in Malaysia with some variances.
Not until visiting the Danchi did I (Satoshi) cometo understand the life styles of those staying
there. Mr. Funazuka showed us rooms in the
Danchi, some were specially renovated models
for the elderly. It was a surprise for us to findout that these renovated rooms are offered by
the Danchi management. We learned that the
number of elderly people living by themselvesi s i n c re a s i n g i n J a p a n . We a l s o f o u n d o u tthat there are regular activities such as healthcheck-ups or sports events held at the Danchi.
Although we initially thought that people in the
Danchi are not fulfilled with their life there, it was
unexpected to us to know from our interview
response that they are satisfied with their life.
(Satoshi & Shan)
地を私が初めて訪れた時に印象的だったのは、いくつ

13fter the first day of survey in the Danchi,
each group came up with product ideas tosolve the current issues faced by the elderly
people living in the Danchi. On the 2nd and 3rdday, each group prepared some questionnaires
to find out how feasible our ideas were and how
they would be accepted by the residents. The
results revealed that their views were different
from ours. Most of them were satisfied with thecurrent situation and did not wish to significantly
alter their daily lifestyle. Thus, we improved andenhanced our product ideas according to their
feedback. This helped to fuel our imagination. It
is important to hear the residents’ opinion of the
product ideas since they will presumably be themain users of the product. From these activities,
we also noticed that cooperating with teammembers is essential. (Yukiko & Zheng You)
回目の調査を元にアイデアを改善し、再度インタビューを行いました。私達の予想に反して、住民のほとんどの

14

Main Program: Day 12

Main Program: Day 13

A

A

Prep for Final Presentation
fter the 3 days of fieldwork loops, it was time
for us to prepare for the final presentation.
The feedback we got from respondents,
lecturers, and other groups was very importantand influential to the direction of changes in ourideas. The final presentation was divided into
two components—the process and the mainidea. Before we actually started making the final
presentation slides, we sorted out the ideas we
got from our past activities of field research,
lectures and feedbacks. The experiences andthoughts from each member were combined andassimilated into a group mind map. The main idea
part included its functions, working principles anddetailed design. It had to be comprehensive yeteasy to understand by everyone (e.g. by making
the slides in both English and Japanese). Thus,
the visualization step was a crucial component ofcrafting the presentation. (Eric & Chihiro)

Final Presentation
fter several days of fieldwork andworkshops, finally the final presentation day
came. We felt nervous for our final presentation
as we had little time to prepare for it. But, we
had received a lot of comments from faculty
members for the past two weeks, so eachgroup tried their best. Each group was given 15
minutes to present their prototype in health careand living space. Everyone was focused during
the final presentation and we were impressed byeach group’s prototype and how they function
even though each idea had their pros and cons
too. Mr. Yamaguchi and Dr. Yu came for the
final presentation to evaluate and commenton each group’s prototype and what further
improvements could be considered. During thepost-course education, Dr. Suzuki also provided
crucial feedback to our ideas. (Keith & Gian)数

３回にわたるフィールドワークのループが終わり、私たちは最終プレゼンテーションの準備に取り掛かりました。現

日間のフィールドワークやワークショップの後、最終発表の日が訪れました。私たちは発表のために準備の時間があまりなかったので非常に緊張しました。しかし、私たち場の方々から得た様々な反応や講義、他のグループから得たはこれまでの二週間で、先生方から事前に多くのコメントをも意見やアイデアをもとに何度も変更を加えつつ最終的なアイデらっていたため、各グループとも発表の準備や最終発表で最アを固めていきました。最終プレゼンテーションでは私たちの善を尽くしました。各グループはヘルスケアと居住空間におけアイデア、及びそのアイデアを完成させるに至った過程についる新しいテクノロジーのアイデアを１５分間で発表しました。

て紹介しました。過程部分を考えるにあたってまずそれまでの

私たちは最終発表に集中して臨み、各グループの案とそれら課外活動や講義で得た情報を書き出していきました。一人一の機能に感銘を受けました。勿論、それぞれの案には長所と人の経験をもとにプレゼンテーションの流れを考え、プレゼン短所があり、最終発表にいらしてくださった山口さんと兪先生

テーションの後半では私たちの最終的なアイデアについてそのも、それぞれのアイデアを評価しつつ、改善のための具体的機能、原理、デザインなどの紹介を視覚化して、プレゼンテー

な考えを提供してくださいました。また、事後教育においては、ションを見る全ての人に分かり易くなるよう（例えば、日英語

鈴木先生からも異なる視点から、今後の学習にも役立つフィー

載せるなど）工夫しつつ作成しました。(Eric & 千尋 )ドバックをいただきました。(Keith & ジアン )1516Collaborativity

BT

he fieldwork was a big challenge for mostof the students from Malaysia because
they faced difficulties communicating well withlocal people in Chiba. This challenge facilitatedcooperation between Chiba U. and MMU
students. Chiba U. students played multiple
roles in the field—one is as an interpreter for
MMU students in order to interview local elderly
people. We conducted fieldwork three times,
and after each field research, we discussed thefeedback obtained from local people and our
instructors. Ideas generated from discussion
actually set the direction and eventually formed
our final idea. (Siang Hoe & Reina)

efore the main course of this GSP, wedidn’t know very much about each other’sculture. Since the groups for the initial culturalpresentation were made up of a mix of students
from Chiba U. and MMU, we tried to come tomutual understanding and agreement amonggroup members by using LINE and Skype. Before
we actually met in Chiba, everyone worked on
their own parts in their respective country. Then,after meeting we gathered at Chiba U., anddiscussed, face to face, the remaining details
such as slide order and presentation delivery.
Even though we completed our assigned parts
individually, we still asked for each other’s
opinion and kept each other updated. In GSP,
collaboration between participants is important.
And each member’s responsibility for theirgroup makes their team stronger and improves
the product outcome of the group. Also, healthy
competitiveness came to exist between groups
because everyone wanted to be the best!
(Joanne & Risa)O

ne of the best ways to succeed in many
endeavors is through good communication.
But, communication was the main hurdle thatwas faced during workshops. Without sufficient
communication, it was difficult to come to anunderstanding among members. Sometimes, atranslator and visual aids were needed so thatthe opposite parties could understand what was
being shared. But, in spite of all the problems
that were faced, we still managed to learn andcreate understanding among ourselves. The
determination of understanding among thegroup members was so great that nothing could
stop us, not even our different language orcultural backgrounds. That’s why we feel that
good communication is the key to all problems.
(Edmund & Aruto)

17

今

私

回は千葉大学が春休みに入った一方、MMU ではテス
ト期間が始まるという、文化紹介の事前準備をする上たちは十分な意思疎通を取ることが、ワークショップを成功させる最善の方法の一つだと思います。なぜなで打ち合わせが難しい状況になってしまいました。そのため、らワークショップにおいて一番の課題となるのがやはり意思疎まずはそれぞれの担当箇所をメインプログラム前までに完成通の問題だからです。満足な意思疎通ができなければ、相互させ、千葉で会ってから、スライドの紹介や発表方法といっ理解が出来ないことはもちろん、誤解が生まれることもありまた細部を詰めていきました。プログラムが開始してからプレす。そうならないために、相手に自分の考えが十分に伝わっゼンテーション当日まで時間があまりありませんでしたが、てないときには、翻訳機を使ったり、絵を描いたりして、互いギリギリまで良いものに仕上げようと互いに意見を出し合いの考えをしっかりと共有しようとすることが重要です。私たちました。GSP ではチーム内でのメンバー協力が必要ですが、は、この２週間こうして、共に学び、互いを理解してきました。

個人の責任感がチームワークを強くし、アイディアをより良そのおかげで、互いの言語や文化など背景の違いを乗り越えいものにすると言うことができます。はじめの課題である文て、ワークショップを行うことができました。語学力だけでな化紹介での経験がベースとなり、メインプログラムの協働的

く、様々な手段を用いて互いに意思疎通を取ろうとすることが、な活動に繋がっていきます。(Joanne ＆ 里彩）

GSP においての鍵になると思います。（Edmund & 有音）

今回の協働学習では、現地の人々や高齢者の方のニーズを理解することが必要とされるので、言語を通じて意思疎通が難しかった MMU の学生にとってはフィール
ドワークは大きな挑戦となりました。言語が異なる現地の人々とコミュニケーションをとるのは困難に感じていましたが、このような時こそ協働作業が必要となります。千葉
大生は通訳の役割も担い、三度に渡りフイールドワークを行いました。自分自身の考えや注目した点をもとに現地の人へ質問し、それをもとにグループで議論を重ね、ついに実用化を目指したヘルスケア機器のアイデアをそれぞれのグループが導くことができました。これは協働学習あってこその成果だと思いました。(Siang Hoe ＆ 礼奈）

18

Final ProductsTeam 1 (Jiaxin, Joanne, Mu, Takeshi, Yusuke)

Danran-no-ie Information Application (DIA)
An application that enables the user to search andcompare for the house they desire to be used as day carecenter. Users also can decrease the trips to City Hall andcenter of Danran with the help of DIA. It also helps toattract more future-to-be Danran managers as the wholeprocess is being shorten and simplify. Besides, users also
can subscribe for services that allow them to receive a
notification whenever the law, such as the Long Term Care
Insurance Law, changes. In summary, DIA can help to makecaregivers' life easier.

Team 2 (Gian, Hui Qi, Janet, Yoshitaka, Zi Guo)

Portable Human Detector (P.H.D)
After visiting Danran, we observed some issues facedby the management team of Danran such as accidents
always happening when the elders are out of view.
Thus, we came up with an idea named Portable Human
Detector. With the implementation of a Kinect sensor,
our system is capable of differentiating and interpretingd i ff e re n t k i n d s o f h u m a n a c t i o n s . H o w c a n i t b e
portable? Kinect sensor will be attached by a gripping or
mounting mechanism that allows it to be installed at any
desired location. Basically, P.H.D. has two functions: amonitoring purpose and an entertainment purpose suchas human-robot interaction game.

Team 3 (Chihiro, Edmund, Satoshi, Siang Hoe, Takanatsu)

BMS-II (Badge Monitoring System - II)
The BMS acts as a badge monitoring device mainly forthe elderly. This device will sense the acceleration thathas been given out by the elderly; with this information
we will be able to determine whether the elderly is
standing, walking or falling down to avoid more serious
accidents. Other than that, we can also customize thedesign on the cover of the badge to put, for example, afamily picture or a picture of your favorite artist. In the
future, we may add in more functions such as bloodpressure checker, heart beat checker, GPS and many
more.

19

Team 4 (Aruto, Eric, Flona, Reina, Shan)

Danchi ’s Response for Emergency Situation System
This system aims to resolve the issue of receiving
assistance when we are unable to reach the S.O.S. button.
The dangerous area we are focusing on is the bathroom.
Falling down in the bathroom has become the mostcommon in-house accident in danchi, and immediate
assistance from outside may be needed for those elderly
who live alone. Once our Pressure Sensing Floor Mat
sensed the user fell down, it will trigger the SOS alarm andrequest help from outside. It will be very helpful to those
who lost consciousness or mobility after falling down. It
can be installed without any major renovation.

Team 5 (Benny, Keith, Omi, Soraya, Yukiko)

Solitary Death Monitoring System (SDMS)
This system is used to monitor the movement and to
study the daily activities of the elderly in the Danchi. The
monitoring system functions by detecting the motion of
the elderly in the Danchi and if the elderly does not movefor a certain period of time, an alarm will be triggered towarn close family and friends. This system uses motion
sensors installed in each room to monitor elderly activity.
The PIR motion sensor was selected because it has larger
coverage and longer range. This system is integrated with
an app, so that families of the elderly are able to monitor
them by using a smart phone.

Team 6 (Chia Yee, Risa, Ryoto, Zheng You, Zhi Hao)

Walking Assistive Stair Climbing Trolley
From the field research, most of the old Danchi do nothave elevator. It is difficult for the elderly to climb stairs
while carrying heavy loads. Throughout the observation,
we found that most of them use a trolley when shopping.
In order to tackle these issues, a trolley which is able toclimb stairs is proposed. This trolley uses a three wheelmechanism which enables the trolley to climb stairs
smoothly. An electrical motor is attached to the wheel. By
pushing the button on the handle, the motor is activated.
Thus, it assists the elderly to pull the trolley up easily.

20Participants

Flona Pei Tian Low

Reina Wakasa

Takeshi Mochizuki

program that I could not have gained

two weeks were a great time for me. I was

In GSP, we can study one theme deeply.

I have learned many things through thisAruto Hori

To tell the truth, I had a difficulty following
MMU students because of their speed ofotherwise. It was a precious experience forme. I learned more about Japanese culture
as well.

speaking, but I did my best. What I foundimportant is not to give up compromising.

Giancarlos Zapata

Benny Wei Hang Wong

For me, it was a great experience to join thisprogram because I’m interested in not only

I very much enjoyed this two-week program
although it was tiring and some of us

healthcare situations, but also knowing more
about different cultures.

became sick. I would like to join this program
again if there is a chance.

Hui Qi Choo

Che Kok TeohI experienced the innovative and creativetechnology, which helps the care receiver

It is very interesting to take part in this GSP
in Japan. I very much appreciate all the hard

and learned how to get along with Japanese
students through teamwork.

work done by the SENSEI, especially for the
manual and reading materials.

Jiaxin Tan

Chia Yee Kow
I’m glad to have had the chance top a r t i c i p a t e i n G S P. B e c a u s e o f G S P,
I enhanced my communication skills
and made many new friends. It was an
unforgettable experience!

Memories, good or bad, they’re all
memorable. The same reason that makes
me refuse to stay makes me refuse to leave
now. Goodbye teammates & convenience
store!
Joanne Pei Xin Tan
GSP helps me to enhance mycommunication skills and overcome thelanguage barrier. The interesting way oflearning makes the whole course lively andjoyful!

Chihiro Tamakoshi
It is truly one of the best experiences
ever. Even if time was short, I managed tocommunicate and have good relationships
with other members. To all members, thankyou!!

Janet Ai Lik Tan
It was a new experience to be exposed more
to technology as the GSP topic is related
to robotic. It is fun experience to deal withdifferent people with different opinions.

Edmund Sze Hwang Teh
An impressive way to learn, between two
cultures in every aspect. The time may be
short, but it is very informative. Thank you
for this collaboration.

Kazuomi Ogawa
There was a language gap, but we could
make close friendships with MMU! I learned
the importance of not hesitating to use
English and to communicate proactively.

Eric Soon Chai Yap
It’s my first time in Japan. The weather here
is cold especially when it’s raining, but myheart is warmed by the people here. For
sure, I will come back again.

21

Keith Swee Han Koh
Thanks to GSP, I was fortunate to experience
the importance of collaborative learning.
Hectic schedule and falling sick didn’t stop
us from bringing out our best!

I participated in GSP for the first time. These

GSP program is a little hard but so exciting!

able to have precious experiences. A special
thanks to all the members.

Thanks MMU students, teachers, and otherpeople involved in this program!

Risa Imai

Tinglin Mu

opposite from your field. There are always
things only you can do. When you find them

to work collaboratively, in many ways. It was
one of the best experiences of my university

Don’t think negatively though the theme is

GSP offers a great opportunity to learn how

at last, you will fall in love with GSP.

life.

Ryoto Tanabe

Yoshitaka Matsumura

are a lot of new friends, viewpoints anddiscoveries. I’ll study in Malaysia this year, I

translate but using images or writing things
down made me understand better and it was

GSP is so exciting for me because there

Sometimes it was difficult to tell my idea andwant to cherish this community!

a great experiences.

Satoshi Matsumoto

Yukiko Satofrom Malaysia in English before. I felt
a small language barrier but I enjoyedcommunicating with them and discussing
during these days.

only people from a different country but
also different generations during GSP. This
memory inspired me to learn more things
that I haven’t seen yet.

I hadn’t communicated with people

I could experience interactions with not

Sudarshan Vijayan
It was a new experience, doing a project ina foreign country where there is a language
barrier. Thankfully with good cooperation the
program was a success.

Yusuke Matsue
I’m proud that we accomplished our final
task by working hard with MMU students
in the dormitory until the late night. I was
so happy. I recommend other people toparticipate in GSP.

Shiang Hoe Tan
It was a very good experience and I reallylearned a lot of things by participating inthis program. Looking forward to seeing you
guys again if there are any chances.

Zheng You Lim
I love this program as all the Chiba-U
students are so kind and helpful throughout
this program. I also learnt how to solve
problems collaboratively.

Soraya Shizumi
Every moment spent with MMU students
has broadened my mind and GSP has
provided me with a precious opportunity
for “intercultuality” and a wonderful spring
break!

Zhi Hao Lim
It’s my pleasure to participate in thisprogram at Chiba University, I already fell inlove with Japan, and also with all of the GSP
members!! I LOVE YOU ALL!!!

Takanatsu MoriThis program became my third experience
with GSP, and I think the hardest. I waseager to improve lots of my skills. Looking
back, I did my best, and feel satisfied.
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Healthcare Technology

Contact
web : http://cie.chiba-u.ac.jp/liberal_arts/gsp.html
E-mail : cireglobal@chiba-u.jp