Wayne Gregory - Assist.
Prof. of English
Tokyo International University of America
1300 Mill Street SE
Salem, Oregon 97309, USA
Phone: +81-503-373-3300, FAX: +81-503-373-3394
Barry Duell
- Prof. of English (presenter)
Tokyo International University
1-13-1 Matoba-kita
Kawagoe, Saitama 350-11, JAPAN
Phone: +81-492-32-1111, FAX: +81-492-32-1119
This presentation will describe a collaborative project between Tokyo International
University (TIU), located in Kawagoe, Saitama, Japan, and Tokyo International
University of America (TIUA) in Salem, Oregon, USA. This project attempted
to create an interactive learning environment via the World Wide Web, in
which students collaborated to construct an online exchange of cultural
and linguistic information.
A TIU freshman class and a TIUA sophomore class were paired for collaborating via the Internet on a variety of activities. The sophomores, studying intensive English in the USA, had more advanced English skills than the freshmen studying in Japan. Their key role was to serve as English language mentors, and sophomores corrected TIU freshman English compositions via e-mail, and created texts and interactive language learning activities. These items, with student photos, and other joint class-related materials were posted on a joint Web page, which will be demonstrated. Through being language mentors, the TIUA students in the USA could focus on language learning from a new perspective. TIU students used language to accomplish tasks that were meaningful and relevant to them, rather than focusing on linguistic form alone.
In addition to providing a pedagogical and conceptual framework for the project, the presenters will describe specific language learning activities their students experienced, and will share their perspectives on the positive outcomes and potential difficulties of such a project. Examples of student work will be presented and handouts will be provided.
Page created by Barry Duell. Last changed: October 11, 1997