Presentation Combining Analog and Digital Approaches to Student Collaborations more

This presentation describes findings from a study that integrated analog and digital tools in collaborative projects among university student groups in an intra-institutional setting. The research explores how combining instant photography and AI-supported communication analysis can enhance student engagement and collaboration across institutions and cultures. Relying solely on digital platforms can feel impersonal or isolating for students. To foster deeper connections, participants used Kodak Mini Shot 3 instant film cameras to capture scenes from their university life both on and off campus. These physical photographs served as prompts for creating captions, audio recordings, and posters, adding a tangible, human element to group exchanges beyond the classroom. The digital component used ChatGPT to analyze a large digital archive of student-created content. This analysis revealed participation patterns, communication trends, common linguistic errors, and student preferences. These insights helped instructors better understand student communication styles and offered both targeted feedback as well as relevant teaching content. Findings suggest that physical media can strengthen interpersonal connection in digital learning environments, while AI tools provide scalable methods for supporting and evaluating collaboration. This multimodal approach offers practical insights and methodology for educators designing intercultural learning experiences that are both data-informed and personally meaningful.