April 2021 EVENT

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Date: April 17th, 2021

Time: 14:00 -

Zoom Meeting Link: https://tinyurl.com/xfwf8ru4

Meeting ID: 915 0729 2612

Passcode: S7J1dw

Effective professional development activities​

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Presenter 1: Jackson Koon Yat Lee

Fostering a Comfortable Online Classroom Environment

Abstract:

Being in an unfamiliar or unexpected environment can be tremendously stress-inducing. Such is the case for students who were expecting to make new friends and form deep relationships with their peers in school or on campus, but classes are suddenly delivered online. However, teachers can help reduce stress by setting a positive classroom atmosphere. Using his experiences, the presenter will share several tips on how to create an online classroom environment that fosters a sense of comfort and belonging for the students.

Bio:

Jackson Lee is a Specially-Appointed Lecturer at Toyo University in Tokyo. He is also involved with JALT, serving as the Chair of the Diversity and Equity Committee as well as the Gifu Chapter President. His research interests include intercultural communication, teacher education and the Japanese English education system.

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Presenter 2 : Jason Pratt

From the Computer back to the Classroom: 3 online innovations I will adapt for in-person classes

Abstract:

When classes were forced online at my university due to the global pandemic, many of us rushed to find ways to adapt what we had been doing in the classroom to work online. By the second semester, I personally felt more comfortable with the technology that I was using and began to take advantage of the tools available. Now, with all of my lessons going back to the classroom, I face the opposite challenge: I want to take the innovations that emerged in my teaching online back to the classroom. In many ways, I will use a low-tech or no-tech option. In this presentation I will specifically show how I will allow student tracking of their assignment progress, encourage greater peer-teaching, and have students track their learning progress better.

Bio:

Jason Pratt is an Associate Professor at Yamanashi Prefectural University. Before he taught at universities, he worked at the embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. As such, he researches and publishes both on education-related issues and on the peace process in Afghanistan. He can be contacted at

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We hope to see you online!

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If you have questions or comments, you can contact us at WestTokyoJALT@gmail.com.