Enhancing extensive reading with data-driven learning

This paper investigates using data-driven learning (DDL) as a means of stimulating greater lexicogrammatical knowledge and reading speed among lower proficiency learners in an extensive reading program. For 16 weekly 90-minute sessions, an experimental group (12 students) used DDL materials created from a corpus developed from the Oxford Bookworms Graded Readers, while a control group (10 students) had no DDL input. Both classes were required to read a minimum of 200,000 words during the course. An embedded-experiment design (Edmonds & Kennedy, 2017) was adopted consisting of both qualitative and quantitative forms of investigation. Quantitative data from the Vocabulary Levels Test by Nation and Beglar (2007) and a C-test (Klein-Braley & Raatz, 1984) constructed from an upper-level Bookworms reader found statistically significant lexicogrammatical improvements for both groups, but greater improvement took place within the control group. Qualitative data derived from a repertory grid analysis of student constructs revealed several possible reasons for the experimental group’s lack of engagement with DDL. The study concludes that careful attention to students’ learning preferences and a softening of the DDL approach may ensure better results with lower proficiency learners

A Glimpse Inside: Considering the Impact of Curriculum Outcomes and Personal Ideology on Social Studies Pedagogy: A Study Summary

This article summarizes the research findings of a Master of Education thesis that aimed to find meaningful answers to the following central question: To what extent, if any, are there pedagogical differences between Social Studies educators who self-identify as ‘liberal’ or ‘conservative’? This study explored how those who self-identify as being on the left (liberal) of the so-called political spectrum would deliver specific social studies curriculum and conversely, how those who identify as being on the political right (conservative) would deliver course content. Ultimately, these questions will serve to present a clear understanding of the extent of political liberties taken by public school social studies teachers, their implications and potential impact on student learning and political understandings

Challenges to Innovation in Japanese Tertiary Educational Institutions : The Case of Advanced CEP

In light of the ongoing developments with the Advanced Levels of the Communicative English Program (CEP), this paper considers some of the background literature that discusses change and innovation in educational institutions. It is argued that change agents should learn as much as possible about the organizational culture of the school. The potential level of political vulnerability that might be experienced by innovators, and the real world needs of the stakeholders should also be identified before implementing reforms. The description of the educational environment, stakeholders and strategies taken in the development of Advanced CEP will hopefully to serve as a reference to potential change agents as they consider ways and means to create improved learning environments at their schools and institutions

Challenges to Innovation in Japanese Tertiary Educational Institutions : The Case of Advanced CEP

In light of the ongoing developments with the Advanced Levels of the Communicative English Program (CEP), this paper considers some of the background literature that discusses change and innovation in educational institutions. It is argued that change agents should learn as much as possible about the organizational culture of the school. The potential level of political vulnerability that might be experienced by innovators, and the real world needs of the stakeholders should also be identified before implementing reforms. The description of the educational environment, stakeholders and strategies taken in the development of Advanced CEP will hopefully to serve as a reference to potential change agents as they consider ways and means to create improved learning environments at their schools and institutions

War Memories, the Risks of Oral History and Moments of Hope : Unearthing the "Field of Spears"

This paper considers a number of problems which arose after the publication of my earlier work entitled Field of Spears. I will discuss how I sought clarity in the murky waters of war memories, and consider instances in which I encountered inconsistent evidence and difficult decisions about how much to report of the sometimes tragic or shameful actions of informants during the stressful conditions of war. The manner in which I dealt with these issues will also be discussed. I will also consider how the problems facing oral history researchers do not end with the fieldwork process, but may begin in earnest after the publication of their results. I close with an account of how positive experiences can help to heal the scars of earlier trauma

War Memories, the Risks of Oral History and Moments of Hope : Unearthing the "Field of Spears"

This paper considers a number of problems which arose after the publication of my earlier work entitled Field of Spears. I will discuss how I sought clarity in the murky waters of war memories, and consider instances in which I encountered inconsistent evidence and difficult decisions about how much to report of the sometimes tragic or shameful actions of informants during the stressful conditions of war. The manner in which I dealt with these issues will also be discussed. I will also consider how the problems facing oral history researchers do not end with the fieldwork process, but may begin in earnest after the publication of their results. I close with an account of how positive experiences can help to heal the scars of earlier trauma

Blended EAP professionals in corporatized higher educational institutions: a critical grounded theory

As momentous changes continue to sweep across higher education, tertiary-level English for Academic Purposes (EAP) has experienced a time of challenging and sometimes painful professional transition. In many Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) around the world, EAP units have been transferred from academic departments to administrative offices responsible for international student recruitment and entrepreneurial talent development. The new locus of conflict for many teachers of EAP has centered on the significant disconnect between them and their new administrative managers about the purposes of second language pedagpgy. This thesis is a qualitative grounded theory study situated within these restive dynamics. Drawing from in-depth interviews of over ninety informants at eleven higher educational institutions in the UK, Japan and the United States, I focus upon the new middle managers of EAP units, referred to in this thesis as Blended EAP Professionals (BLEAPs). I develop a Critical Grounded Theory about the processes and strategies BLEAPs use to survive in corporatized HEIs while working with international students and Teachers of EAP (TEAPs). It was discovered during the course of analysis that, even while BLEAPs are often responsible for teaching EAP classes, those who succeed in corporatized HEIs dedicated most of their energies to processes identified as Hunting & Gathering , Weighing & Measuring, and Molding & Shaping. All of these are linked to a basic social process, which is theorized to be that of Struggling to Manage and to Lead. This thesis discusses each of these processes in detail, and after explaining how the data used in this grounded theory study was philosophically construed, methodologically structured and theoretically analyzed, I consider the implications of this theory for Tertiary EAP as the profession approaches the middle of the 21st century

Improved Language Learning through Self-Access

現在、NUISでは、自主的語学学習センター(LLC)の設立に係る試験的プロジェクトが進行中です。ここでは、自主的学習や学習者の自主性に関する教育的、論理的基準について、またLLC設立により大学と学生両者が享受できるであろう実質的な恩恵といった内容を含む計画の概略を提示します。また、LLC設立のための行動計画についても言及します。LLCプロジェクトの成功は、LLCの物理的な設置場所、使用する教材、制度自体、そしてプロジェクトに関わる人的資源いずれにおいても同様につりあいがとれていることが重要なポイントになります。関係者間の意見調整、プログラムの教育制度、実施スケジュールやその内容といった計画実施のための項目についても言及します。A pilot project to establish a self-access language-learning center (LLC) is currently underway at NUIS. This paper profiles the project including the educational and philosophical basis of self-access learning and learner autonomy as well as the practical benefits an LLC would bring to both the school and the students. It also describes the action plan for establishing the LLC. A successful LLC must balance questions of space, materials, systems and personnel. The paper also outlines the political, academic and logistical elements of the project