Optimal Viewing

The ITJ website was designed to be most effectively viewed using the more popular versions of the two major browsers. For optimal viewing, it is recommended that one of the following frame-enabled browsers be used: Netscape Navigator 2.01 or 3.01 or Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.01. If possible, it is recommended that version 3.01 of either browser be used. Presently, the site requires no plug-ins or extra software to be used. The graphics in this site have been carefully rendered to ensure that they will load quickly even at speeds as low as 14.4 Kbps.

---

Goals of the ITJ Website

The ITJ Website was designed to achieve four main goals.

1. To provide Japanese language teachers and others interested in learning about foreign language education with clear, helpful, and easily accessible information about The Institute for the Teaching of Japanese.

2. To provide Japanese language educators efficient access to Internet-assisted professional development courses.

3. To provide visitors easy access to Internet resources about Japanese, Japan, and current events information about the field of Japanese education.

4. To create an environment where Japanese language teachers can share information and ideas and engage in professional networking through the use of Internet technology.

We approached the design of the ITJ site with the belief that every communication medium has its strengths and weaknesses. Accordingly, we worked to adapt the medium of the Web to the meet ITJ's needs while at the same time seeking to maintain an attractive, clean, quick, and intuitive presentation of useful information. We worked to achieve a balance between the use of graphics and the need for technical efficiency to ensure that the site was attractive and responsive.

We focused our efforts on organizing useful information about Japanese language education and in incorporating participatory functions where they would add the most value to this information. Staff involved in the development of this website will continue enhancing these participatory features.

If you have comments, reactions, or suggestions, please send us your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.