The Laurasian Institution received start-up funding for ITJ through a grant from the Ford Foundation. This grant supported the initial development of the ITJ concept, the design and construction of the ITJ website, and the development of the mechanisms for delivery of on-line professional development. Like many innovative ventures, developing ITJ proved more expensive than had been anticipated. As a result, ITJ was unable to complete the prototype exercise under the original grant as expected. We are now very pleased to announce that the Ford Foundation has provided a small supplemental grant that will enable The Laurasian Institution to reinitiate work on ITJ, carry out the prototype, and launch the first on-line course before the end of 1998. To complete this work, staff of ITJ and The Laurasian Institution are NOW recruiting additional teachers to participate in the prototype. The ITJ prototype is being carried out to ensure that the content of the courses, the delivery methods, and the technology used in the program work smoothly and are of exceptional quality. Institute staff, in collaboration with language and pedagogy specialists, will working with a select group of Japanese language teachers from across the United States to develop and refine initial course materials and other ITJ resources. During the initial part of the prototype, courses will not be open for general registration. It is possible for interested people to preregister for one or more of the six courses that are being refined in the prototype. The first part of the prototype will be completed by October 1998. At this time, a selection of courses will be available for general enrollment. From this date forward, we will add new courses as they are developed. We strongly encourage you to apply to participate in the Prototype Exercise, and we encourage you to Lear more about the Prototype and Apply. A grant from the Ford Foundation is partially supporting costs of this prototype. Other development expenses are being underwritten by The Laurasian Institution.

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