How long does
it take to complete a professional development
course?
The courses offered by
ITJ are organized into modules so that busy teachers can
usually complete them in about 15 to 20 hours of on-line
activity over a four week period of time. This averages out
to about forty minutes of on-line participation each day.
Because the modules are designed for self-managed learning
and available from the Internet, you can access them any
time of the day you want and from wherever there is a
computer connected to the Internet. It is therefore possible
for you to spend two hours on-line one day and then skip the
next, or spend a few moments several times a day working on
module activities. Modules will also involve off-line
activities including reading, applying learning in your
classroom, completing assignments, and writing
papers.
Are the
modules taught by live instructors?
Yes! ITJ modules are not "taught" in the
conventional way that subjects are taught by in a
traditional classroom. A "live" on-line learning facilitator
is involved in each ITJ course and serves many of the
functions that instructors serve in traditional classes.
Unlike many college courses, however, the ITJ learning
facilitator is a practicing Japanese language teacher who
has years of experience with the content of the module being
facilitated. At the same time, the asynchronous nature of
Internet-assisted learning enables all participants to
effectively collaborate in the learning process. In this
way, everyone involved in a module is a "live instructor."
Final papers or module projects are graded by the university
professor who authored the module or by another person with
expert qualifications.
Will I be
able to earn college credit by successfully completing ITJ
modules?
Yes! There are three credit options currently
available for ITJ modules. One option allows you to register
for upper-level college credit. Earning college credit will
require students to successfully complete the requirements
of the module. Approximately one unit of credit is awarded
for each module. This credit will be awarded by one of
several institutions of higher learning from which you can
select. Over time, ITJ will seek collaborative arrangements
with different colleges and universities across the US and
in other countries so that students will be able to select
an institution for college credit that best suits their
needs. ITJ staff will also seek arrangements with select
institutions that will enable students to earn graduate
credit.
Why does ITJ
offer modules instead of standard courses?
Japanese language
teachers, like all teachers, are extremely busy. To enable
busy teachers to engage in a quality professional
development program during the school year, ITJ staff
believed that it was essential to divide courses into easily
managed modules. In addition, the module structure of ITJ
also enables teachers to customize their professional
development program by assembling modules from existing
courses into new courses that meet their specific
professional goals. ITJ staff will work with teachers to
design these customized learning programs to ensure that the
results are academically sound and contribute to a teacher's
professional development goals.
Will ITJ
enable me to become a certified Japanese language
teacher?
Not at this
point. However, we are
working with several institutions and state associations so
that teachers who complete an ITJ program can become
certified Japanese language teachers. We will periodically
make announcements on the website about this effort as
progress toward this goal is achieved.
Will I need
any special computer equipment to participate in
ITJ?
No! We have carefully designed ITJ to make sure
that almost anyone with a standard computer and connection
to the Internet can participate in ITJ. There are however a
few technical minimums. If you are using a Macintosh
computer, it will be necessary to be using Mac System
Software 7.5.1 or higher. If you are using an IBM compatible
computer, it will be necessary to use Windows 3.1 or Windows
95. It is also advisable that the computer have at least 8
MB of RAM, 12 to 16 MB of RAM are recommended. To connect to
and use the Internet, the computer must be connected to or
have a modem that is capable with communicating at a minimum
of 14.4 Kbs, and it is best to use one that can communicate
at 28.8 Kbs. Finally, to effectively access the ITJ website
and modules, the computer will need to use a frame-enabled and Java-enabled browser. Either Netscape Navigator 2.01 or
3.01 or Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.01 are suitable
browsers for ITJ. We are presently recommending the use of
Netscape Navigator.
I do not have
much experience using the Internet. Will this make it
difficult for me to participate in ITJ?
No! Even if you haven't ever used the Internet
or the World Wide Web, you will be able to quickly learn how
to participate in ITJ. At first you may find some of the
processes and activities new. In the Virtual Library of
World Wide Web resources, there is a category of websites
dedicated to learning how to use the Internet. If you are
new to the Internet, we encourage you to visit this part of
the ITJ website and explore these on-line learning
resources. Eventually, ITJ staff will also develop an
introductory on-line module open to all visitors on using
the Internet.
I do not want
to send my credit card information via the Internet to pay
for my registration. Is there another way to pay the
Institute's fees?
Yes! In addition to on-line registration, which
is the most convent way to register for ITJ, you can
register using a Fax form that can be printed from the ITJ
website and then sent by a fax machine to ITJ.
Alternatively, you may also call ITJ via a toll-free number
and register over the phone.
Will I be
able to take modules during the summer when I am out of
school?
Yes!
As the Institute grows and
evolves, modules will be made available throughout the year
including the summer. Because each module will include an
on-line learning facilitator, however, the exact schedule
for each module will depend in part on the availability of
these professionals. We recommend that you visit the ITJ
site often to learn when a module that you are interested in
is being offered. We also encourage you to contact the
ITJ
administrator by e-mail to suggest
changes in the schedule.
Can I enroll in any ITJ module I want, any
time I want?
Yes!
You can enroll in ITJ at
any time. However, not all modules will be offered all the
time and you will not be able to start participating in a
module after it has already started. Also, during the
prototype phase of the program, ITJ modules will not be open
for general admission. Please
sign our guest book so that you can receive e-mail
announcements about the status of ITJ.
How much is
the tuition for a single ITJ module?
Tuition fees for ITJ
modules have not yet been determined. We plan to make them
as affordable as possible. Also, because of the three credit
options that are available, college credit, continuing
education units, and auditing, the final cost of a module
will vary depending on which credit option is selected and
the college which awards credit.
Can I cancel
my registration without penalty after paying the
tuition?
Yes!
If you cancel your
registration one week before the course starting, there will
be no penalty and a full refund will be issued. If you
cancel your registration within a week before the course
starts, there is a $10 late cancellation fee. If
registration is canceled during the first week of the
module, fifty percent of the registration fee will be
refunded. If the course is canceled after the first week of
the module, none of the module fee will be refunded.
Will I need
to buy any books or other materials to participate in ITJ
modules?
Yes!
Most ITJ modules, like
other college-level courses, usually require the purchase of
text books and/or reading packets. Where possible, a text
book purchased for one module will be used for other
modules. The module authors carefully select supplemental
reading material so that it will significantly contribute to
participants' professional development. Also, the text books
and other reading material required for the course will be
sold to participants at the lowest possible price.
Do I have to
participate in module activities at specific times each
day?
No! One of the advantages of taking an ITJ
module is that nearly all module activities can be scheduled
by you to fit your needs. The module's content and all other
ITJ resources are available 24 hours a day seven days a
week. Most of the collaborative activities involve the use
of e-mail and on-line discussion groups that can be accessed
at any time that is convenient during the module.
Occasionally, on-line synchronous chat sessions will be
scheduled by the learning facilitator or one or more
participants. To participate in these chat sessions, you
would need to "enter" your classroom at a specified time so
that you would be able to have a live discussion with the
other participants.
Aside from
the modules, what other resources and benefits does ITJ
offer to registered students?
ITJ offers four
other main resources. These
include an on-line virtual library of Internet and World
Wide Web resources and access to up-to-date announcement
about what is happening in the field of Japanese language
education. In the near future, ITJ will also offer free
access to open discussion groups and access to an on-line
bookstore where you will be able to purchase books and
teaching materials useful to the teaching of Japanese at the
K - 12 levels. We encourage you to explore and use these
resources.
Will I be
able to talk with someone live if the need
arises?
Yes!
During a module, your
learning facilitator will announce his or her office hours.
During this time, you will be able to contact the learning
facilitator by phone, e-mail, or on-line chat. If you need
to communicate with other Institute staff, you can easily
reach us via e-mail any time of day. We will reply to your
questions within 12 hours. If necessary, you can also
contact Institute staff by phone at 217-648-2353 from 8:00
a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Central Standard time.
How many
modules will be available? When will they be
developed?
During the Prototype
phase, no modules will be available for general
registration. During the last quarter of 1997, up to 6
modules will be available for open registration. Please
visit the course catalog to review the descriptions of
modules that are under development.
Will someone
provide technical support for computer issues?
Yes!
Technical support questions
related to ITJ will be provided to people who are actively
enrolled in an ITJ module. Most technical support will be
provided via e-mail. In emergency situations, technical
support can be received by telephone by calling
217-648-2353. It will not be possible for Institute staff to
provide general technical support about using computers or
connecting to the Internet. If you have questions about
accessing the Internet, we suggest that you first contact
your Internet Service Provider's the technical support
office. If you are experiencing problems with your computer,
we suggest that you contact your vendor's technical support
office.
What are the
credentials of the people developing the ITJ
materials?
Presently, the content
author for ITJ modules is Dr. Yashy Tohsaku. Dr. Tohsaku is
an associate professor at the Graduate School of
International Relations and Pacific Studies at the
University of California, San Diego. He also serves as
Director of the Graduate Language Program and Japanese
Studies Language Program. He received his a B.A. and M.S.
degrees in Spanish linguistics from the Tokyo University of
Foreign Studies, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in linguistics from
the University of California, San Diego. The learning
facilitators for ITJ will all be practicing Japanese
language teachers recognized for their excellence. The ITJ
administrator, Dr. Eric Rusten, has worked in the education
field for many years and has extensive experience in cross
cultural activities.
Can I spread
my study out over a longer period of time if
necessary?
Depending on
circumstances, it may be possible for students to take
longer than the usual four week module period to compete
module activities. ITJ staff will will deal with such
situation on a case by case basis. However, if a student
needs to extend their study beyond the scheduled module
period, they may not be offered the on-line support of a
learning facilitator.
Will it be
possible for me to communicate with fellow classmates during
a module?
Yes! With each module there are three main ways
that you could use to communicate with fellow students. One
of the easiest is via e-mail. Each module includes the
capability to send and receive e-mail to and from all
participants in the module. Another key element of each
module is the use of asynchronous discussion bulletin boards
that will allow you to post questions and/or statements, and
respond to the questions and statements posted by other
participants. The modules also include live on-line chat
capabilities to enable participants to carry out live
discussions via the Internet. Because each of these means of
communication are carried out through your local Internet
service provider, you will most likely not incur any
additional charges for the time you spend communicating with
fellow students.
Will people
not associated with ITJ be able to retrieve my name and
contact information form the ITJ website?
No! ITJ staff have taken special care to protect
the privacy of people participating in the on-line modules.
You name and contact information will not be made available
to anyone not associated with ITJ or The Laurasian
Institution without your permission.
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