Event
HomeObstacles to Professional Development in Japanese Schools and Universities
Saturday, September 26th, 2015, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Speaker: Alexey Kukharuk (Fukuoka Communication Center)
With professional development (Faculty Development) finally reaching tertiary institutions and the focus of education shifting from teaching to learning, Japanese schools and universities face several difficulties regarding the implementation of effective professional development programs. This presentation is part of a larger study, undertaken by the presenter during the post-graduate course at the University of Manchester, which explored obstacles to professional development (Faculty Development) at a Japanese national university.
This presentation is a literature review which introduces several challenges for professional development in Japan. Namely, the presentation discusses attitudes to teaching among school and university educators and problematizes the concept of "good teaching" as a standard for teaching. The second half of the presentation introduces what are observed to be common attitudes to professional development in schools and universities and elaborates on the related to those attitudes concept of reflection.
The presentation includes group activities in which the participants will be able to share their experience with and views on some of the above-mentioned points. It will conclude with the implications of the discussed issues for professional development of teachers in Japan - both in the view of the presenter and those of the participants.
Alexey Kukharuk works as an English instructor and a facilitator at Fukuoka Communication Center where in addition to teaching, his responsibilities include but are not limited to interviewing job applicants and managing the professional development of both new and current instructors. The author's primary research interests lie in professional development and teacher learning as well as education quality.
After-meeting social event:
Venue: GRAND CHINA (Chinese buffet), ACROS Fukuoka B2F, 1-1-1, Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
050-5834-5042
Time: 20:00-22:00 (*last call for food and drinks at 21:30)
Type: all you can eat & drink
Price: 3,300 yen (incl. tax)
RSVP: Yumiko, our social events chairperson
Organization: Fukuoka Chapter of the Japan Association for Language Teaching (Fukuoka JALT)
Cost: JALT Members: free
Non-members: 1,000 yen
Venue: ACROS 2F (Seminar Room 2) 1-1-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City (map)
Location: Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan
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