jalt47

AKITA JALT meetings in 2008
picture album page 2 - the 3rd meeting of 2008
July

Guest speaker: Susan Duggan
Date: July 26th, 2008
Title: What Do Your Students Really Think of Your Classes?
– Achieving More Effective Course Evaluations
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Place: AIU (Akita International University)
Room: B-103

8 people attended.

Chapter Report
(to be printed in The Language Teacher)
Guest speaker: Susan Duggan

AKITA – July 2008 What Do Your Students Really Think of Your Classes?　- Achieving More Effective Course Evaluations! - Susan Duggan, Iwate Prefectural University. Every semester university instructors in Japan have their students complete a survey to evaluate their courses. But how can a Student Rating Instrument [SRI] designed originally for American students be applicable for a wide range of classes in Japan? Professor Duggan highlighted the main problems of standardized course evaluation forms by using evidence from interviews with students. In the second part of the presentation, Professor Duggan offered models and aids for designing more meaningful course evaluation forms. She outlined six different categories with explicit examples that focused on specific questions that will provide useful feedback for teachers truly interested in improving their classes. The presentation ended with a lively question and answer discussion.

Reported by Stephen Shucart

AKITA JALT meetings in 2008
picture album page 2 - the 4th meeting of 2008
September

Guest speaker: Carlos Budding
Date: September 27th, 2008
Title: An Introduction to American Sign Language
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Place: AIU (Akita International University)
Room: B-103

19 people attended.

Chapter Report
(to be printed in The Language Teacher)
Guest speaker: Carlos Budding

AKITA – September 2008 An Introduction to American Sign Language! - Carlos Budding, Akita International University. This workshop was primarily intended for those individuals who desired to learn some basic information regarding American Sign Language (ASL). The workshop had 2 foci: first to understand a little of the history/theory of ASL, and second to learn some basic signs.

In the first part of the presentation, Professor Budding explained the basic linguistic theories that apply to American Sign Language (ASL). Ideas of what makes a sign, and what linguistic rules govern how a sign is made were presented. Interestingly enough, he disclosed that 50% of the information is conveyed by facial expressions. He then gave a brief history of how ASL came about in The United States and what challenges ASL is facing in a time of globalization. While he was giving his talk he was simultaneously giving the talk in ASL for the benefit of at least one member of the audience who was deaf.

During the second part of the presentation, participants were exposed to a typical “sign class”, that is a class taught completely in silence and using only ASL, gestures, and some writing. Students were taught the manual alphabet, numbers, and some signs intended for basic communication. The session ended with a vocal Q & A session.

Reported by Stephen Shucart

more pictures
go to JALT photo album 48

go to pictures of the meetings in 2007
go to pictures of the meetings in 2006
go to pictures of the meetings in 2005
go to pictures of the meetings in 2004
go to pictures of the meetings in 2003
go to pictures of the meetings in 2002
go to pictures of the meetings in 2001
go to pictures of the past meetings (1998 - 2000)
Akita JALT

"GENKI" English education homepage by Takeshi Suzuki

go back to "genki" homepage index