Although technology is an important aspect of Japanese culture, learning via internet is a new concept that is only just emerging.<\/p>\n
One NAU student is helping integrate online learning into Japanese classrooms, shifting the culture from teacher centered to a more interactive setting.<\/p>\n
Eri Ono<\/strong>\u00a0is originally from Osaka, Japan, where she taught middle school for four years. She received a master’s degree from NAU and is currently working on her Ph.D., focusing on distance education and introducing technology into the classroom.<\/p>\n Ono will receive the 2008 Award for Outstanding Practice by Students of Educational Technology in an International Setting from the International Division of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology.<\/p>\n The award is for a project regarding an online technology workshop for Japanese teachers. Ono will be presented with the award next month in Orlando, Fla.<\/p>\n “Based on my experience at NAU, I learned how technology can make our lives less challenging,” Ono said. “This experience inspired me to introduce a new way of learning to Japanese teachers.”<\/p>\n The Japanese government enacted a new law requiring teachers to attend a mandatory workshop in order to renew their licenses. Among 101 workshops, only one is offered online. This is where Ono’s project came into play.<\/p>\n “We just don’t have an online learning system in Japan,” Ono said. “It’s always face-to-face learning. Most teachers have no idea you can learn via classmates online by doing group work and hands-on activities. In Japan we are always teacher centered.”<\/p>\n For her project Ono incorporated an “American style” of learning, which included digital storytelling with PowerPoint presentations.<\/p>\n “The students loved the group work and hands-on activities,” Ono said. “I asked them to create a one-minute self-introduction, and they were so excited that most of them produced a much longer project.”<\/p>\n Her next goal is to introduce to more of what she learned at NAU to Japanese culture, including distance education.<\/p>\n Ono has had a positive experience at NAU. She worked as a teacher’s assistant and introduced new technology to the class.<\/p>\n “American teachers have a very open minded attitude toward their students,” Ono said. “I was really thankful to be a TA in such a class. With my language I never thought I could get a position, but the instructors were very generous.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"