Report on New PBL Elective Course: Adventure Education and Event Planning

This report outlines the development, implementation, and evaluation of an eight-week experimental project-based learning (PBL) elective course that was trialed during the spring semester of 2023 at Sojo University. The course project consisted of a real-world educational and recreational event attended by local elementary and junior high school students. The report serves as a process-oriented example for potential course authors of similar elective courses featuring experiential and project-based learning, as well as an outcomes-based justification for future development of a related community program. 本報告書は、崇城⼤学で 2023 年度前期（春学期）に試⾏された、8 週間の実験的プロジ ェクトベース学習（PBL）選択コースの開発、実施、評価を概説したものである。このコ ースのプロジェクトは、地元の⼩中学⽣が参加する現実的教育及びレクリエーション活動 で構成された。 本報告書は、同様の体験学習型選択コースの作成者に向けプロセス指向 の例として、また将来のコミュニティ・プログラム関連の開発に対する成果ベースの根拠 として役⽴つものである。departmental bulletin pape

Learner Profiles for EFL in Japanese Higher Education : Incoming Student Beliefs, Experiences, and Expectations

Research in language learning suggests that learner profiles can help teachers develop more appropriate and differentiated student-centered learning environments. A mixed-methods approach was used to investigate learner beliefs, experiences, and expectations. Quantitative and qualitative instruments were developed to collect data from incoming first-year students of a compulsory English communication course at a university in Japan. Data was categorized and analyzed regarding learners’ orientation to English learning, willingness to communicate, and readiness for e-learning. Results indicate that while this group of learners retain more traditional orientations towards language learning, they are generally willing to interact with others in a language class, are relatively comfortable using web technology, and have positive expectations for the course. Similarity of results across departments and gender suggests that learner profiles may be more helpful to teachers at the level of individual learners. Further research exploring teacher perceptions of the utility of this data for pedagogical agendas is recommended

Progress Report: Efficacy of Learner Profiles Identified through Teacher Reflections

This progress report summarizes research activities made in an ongoing research project investigating the efficacy of a learner profiling system for use in a foreign language curriculum at a university in Japan. The purpose of the project is to evaluate and improve a system which was designed to provide teachers with information regarding learner beliefs prior to the start of a foreign language course. With one phase of the research project complete, this progress report details adaptive measures taken by the researchers during the ongoing second phase. The report presents a brief overview of the project rationale, technical progress including instrument development and data collection, a review of adaptations made by the researchers, and a projection of future work. 本報告書は、日本の大学における外国語教育カリキュラムにおける学習者プロファイリングシステムの有効性を検討する研究プロジェクトにおける研究活動の進捗をまとめたものである。このプロジェクトの目的は、外国語コース開始前に学習者の外国語学習に対する考えに関する情報を教師に提供するために設計されたシステムを評価し、改善することである。本報告書は、研究プロジェクトの第一段階が終了し、現在進行中の第二段階における研究者の適応策について詳述する。また、プロジェクトの論理的根拠、機器の開発およびデータ収集などの技術的な進展、また研究者によって実施された適応策のレビュー、そして今後の研究の見通しについての概要を説明する