Shizuoka JALT:

Developing and Implementing Simple Class Websites

Date: Sunday, May 13th, 2007 Time: 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

Speaker: Robert McLaughlin

Description:
Despite time constraints, lack of familiarity with available 'user ready' technology, or even hesitation or aversion to the idea of 'webpage construction' nearly anyone can easily build a class website.

By utilizing 'user ready' pre-constructed group sites, language instructors can supplement instruction, store data and student assignments, utilize task-based learning and multi-skills approaches to lessons, as well as close the gap in fluency between students with higher and lower abilities. Moreoever, this kind of easy-to-use technology has been shown to raise student independence and accountability, develop research skills, and interraction with materials and their peers, and to generally give students a greater stake in their own participation in the course.

The presenter will show participants how to quickly build and implement and manage a group website, as well give some advice on possible drawbacks and pitfalls to avoid. Some time will be given for question and answer or for hands-on demonstration of the technology.

Robert McLaughlin is a lecturer at Tokoha Gakuen. He holds an Masters in Education in TESL, and is currently the Vice-President of the Association of Canadian Teachers in Japan (ACTJ). Originally, from Vancouver Island, Canada, Rob has been teaching for 15 years in a variety of positions. He is interested in comparative education and working with returnee students in particular.

Organization: Shizuoka Chapter of the Japan Association for Language Teaching (Shizuoka JALT)

Cost: JALT Members: free
Non-members: 500 yen

Venue: Kyouiku Kaikan, across from Shin-Shizuoka in the basement, 5 minutes walk north from JR station

Location: Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan

Contact Shizuoka JALT

Website: jalt.org/groups/chapters/shizuoka