How to get started at the Institute? Learning about ITJ? Browser & Technical Requirement for using ITJ? Registering and Signing up for Classes? Accessing other ITJ Resources? Learning About ITJ: If you would like to learn more about ITJ and the professional development resources offered, you should first review the information that you can access from ITJ's homepage. This includes information on: The Institute's Mission & Vision; a brief description of ITJ's prototype activities; a summary of what ITJ is and how it may meet your professional development goals; and the list of modules that are currently available and under development. Browser & Technical Requirements for using ITJ: You should review the following information to be sure that you are using an ITJ-capable browser. The ITJ website and classrooms require that you use the most up-to-date version of either Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer. To download either browser to your computer, simply click either of these links: Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer. ITJ learning environments presently operate best with the Netscape Navigator browser and we highly encourage you to use it. The Internet Explorer browser has proven to be especially problematic when chat and other on-line communications functions are used. If you are using a Macintosh, you can find out which version of browser you are using by first selecting the "Help" item in the menu bar and moving the cursor down to "About Netscape" . The next screen will display the version of Netscape you are using. If you are using Windows95, you should select the "Help" menu item and then on the"About" item in the list. The version of Netscape your are using will then be displayed. Micorsoft's Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator are available free of charge. Also, your Internet Service Provider may also be able to provide you with the latest version of either of these two browsers free of charge. If you have the correct version of Netscape Navigator or Internet Explorer, you can enter the Institute right now and start accessing ITJ resources. Technical Requirements for Taking ITJ Classes: To access ITJ classes the browser you are using must have the Java capabilities enabled. The following instructions will help you determine if Java Script is enabled or not and how to enable this feature if it has not yet been turned on. For Netscape Navigator, you can check to see if the Java capabilities of your browser are turned on or not by doing the following: With the browser window open, select on the "Options" menu item and select "Network Preferences" from the menu. Next, select the "Languages" tab to open a new window. The two boxes next to the terms "Enable Java" and "Enable Java Script" should be checked. If they are, Java is working and you may click Ok and return to using the website. If these two boxes are not checked, please click in each box to insert an "X" in the box. Next click "Ok" to return to the normal browser window. If you are activating the Java functions for the first time, you will need to select the "File" menu item and select "Quit". After this you will need to start the browser again. It is not necessary to disconnect from your Internet service provider to start you browser again. For Microsoft Internet Explorer, you can check to see if the Java capabilities of your browser are turned on by doing the following: With the browser window open, select the "View" menu item and select "Options" from the menu that is now displayed. Next, select the "Security" tab to open a new window. A series of four small boxes in the lower portion of this window, under "Active Content" should all be check. If they are, Java is working and you may click Ok and return to using the website. If these four boxes are not checked, please click in each box to insert an "X" in the box. Next click "Ok" to return to the normal browser window. If you are activating Java functions for the first time, you will now need to select the "File" menu item and select "Close". After this you will need to start the browser again. It is not necessary to disconnect from your Internet service provider to start you browser again. Registering for ITJ Classes: If you are now ready to start your new adventure in Internet-assisted professional development, simply do the following: Enter the Institute by selecting the Enter the Institute icon that you will find on the homepage screen. To review a detailed list of classes offered by ITJ and to learn the requirements for each class, click on the Available Courses bar on the homepage. Once you have identified a class that you would like to enroll in and one that is available, either return to the Institute's Main Office screen or go directly to the Registration screen to register for the class. From the Institute's Main Office page, you can also sign up for a class by selecting the registration bar. Accessing Other ITJ Resources: In addition to ITJ's courses and modules, the Institutes proves access to a variety of useful resources including: Easy access to a select list of World Wide Web resources that are categorized and reviewed to make it easy for Japanese language teachers to quickly find websites that may contribute to their work and professional development. A quick means of learning what is happening in the field of Japanese language education. A place to share teaching materials with fellow teachers from around the world. In the near future, the Institute will offer teachers open discussion groups, chat rooms and moderated special on-line discussion. Also, Institute staff are putting the finishing touches on an on-line virtual bookstore that will enable educators to easily learn about new teaching materials and books and to order this material for delivery to your home or school. The easiest way to access these different resources is to Enter the Institute and select the Professional Services navigating bar.

© 1997 The Laurasian Institution