LD SIG Forums 2017

LD SIG Forums in 2017

The LD SIG Programs Team held forums at the following three JALT conferences in 2017:

  • Pan-SIG 2017 – Akita International University, Akita, May 19-21, 2017
  • JALT CALL 2017 – Matsuyama University, Matsuyama, Shikoku, June 16-18, 2017
  • JALT 2017 – Epochal Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, November 17-20, 2017

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JALT International – Language Teaching in a Global Age: Shaping the Classroom, Shaping the World

International Communities: Fostering Learner Development on a Global Stage

In the global age, it could be argued that an outward-looking mindset would be an invaluable tool that would embolden students to participate in a worldwide community of English speakers. Teachers can play a role in promoting notions of international awareness, and dialogue with the world outside of Japan. However, if these ideas are to be truly ‘owned’ by students, learners must find their place in the global community. The Learner Development SIG Forum at JALT2017 was based on the theme of fostering international mindsets through autonomous learning both inside and outside the classroom. Presentations in this forum explored teaching and learning both in Japan and abroad, while engaging learners with global issues, contents, language, and experiences that broaden both their global and local perceptions of themselves and other people.

Presenters: Blair Barr – Tamagawa University; Robert Morel – Toyo University; Andy Barfield – Chuo University; Mayumi Abe – Waseda University; Nick Kasparek – Rikkyo University; James Underwood – Gakushuin University; Robert Werner – Ryutsu Keizai University; Martin Cater – J.F. Oberlin University; Nathan Ducker – Miyazaki Municipal University; Debjani Ray – Tokyo University of Science; Jason White – Osaka Gakuin University; Fumiko Kurosawa – Basic English Institute; Colin Rundle – Soka University; Satomi Yoshimuta – International Christian University; Kio Iwai – Rikkyo EDC; Agnes Patko – Kyoto University of Foreign Studies; Ann Flanagan – Ritsumeikan High School; Peter Joun – Tamagawa University

For more details, see the Learner Development Forum page for this event.

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PanSIG 2017

Akita International University in Akita from May 19 to 21

Visualizing Learner Development

This year’s Learner Development SIG Forum gave participants a chance to expand their interests by focusing on a variety of topics related to student development. Focusing both on research and practice-based topics, the forum highlighted different aspects of autonomous learning, visual metaphors, meta-cognitive strategies, and important non-cognitive factors in learning. Timed rounds of interactive presentations were followed by a discussion circle, giving participants the opportunity to synthesize information from the presentations with their own experiences assisting learner growth.

Arnold F. Arao, Non-Cognitive Factors in Student Development

Daniel Hooper, Testing the waters: Gauging the viability of autonomous language learning in an eikaiwa

Mathew Porter, Collaborative Reflection Using a Visual Metaphor

Robert Morel, Student responses to learning strategy instruction

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JALTCALL 2017

Matsuyama University in Shikoku from June 16 to 18

Learners in the Digital Age

This Learner Development SIG Forum at JALTCALL 2017 was an inclusive, participant-friendly event featuring ideas for integrating language learning technology in the classroom and beyond while maintaining the focus on the learner. In the computer- and mobile-assisted language learning classroom, it is easy to focus on computer applications as solely tools for teaching and easing the management of large groups of students. However, with this focus, teachers can easily lose sight of the individuals adopting these tools as autonomous learners both inside and outside of the class. In this forum, timed rounds of interactive presentations about language learners engaging with CALL tools such as online tests, digital flashcards, blogs, and video-sharing websites will be followed by a discussion circle. At this time, participants were given an opportunity to reflect on the presentations while sharing their own research experiences, puzzles, and narratives about learner growth and language development through the use of technology.

Lee Arnold (Seigakuin University), Blogs as informal LMSs for class and course assignment contextualization and publication

Blair Barr & Brett Milliner (Tamagawa University), Online testing for learner feedback and development

David Gann (Tokyo University of Science), Card Trick Instructional Videos and Online Language Learning Resources for Rescuing a Dying Class

Daniel Hougham(Hiroshima University), Using Quizlet to promote learner development