KOTESOL National Conference 2018
Research Report (20 minutes)
Yasuko Sato, Niigata University of International and Information Studies
The Case Study of MOOC for Japanese College Students
Abstract
This study explores the effect of MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) as a method to enhance a student’s motivation and self-directed learning, and to help them acquire the key skills needed in order to succeed at Niigata University of International and Information Studies or overseas universities. We offered a course of MOOCs to freshmen majoring in International Studies at NUIS: “A Beginner's Guide to Writing in English for University Study” at the University of Reading. This course constitutes one of the six MOOCs’ platforms (Yamada, 2014) offered by Future Learn (FL). FL is a digital education provider launched in December 2012, owned by the Open University in Milton Keynes, UK.
In the required course, the first-year students can learn introductory reading and writing, as well as basic grammar. One MOOC, selected especially by the presenter, was assigned to them as a five-week self-study course during spring break in 2016 & 2017. The aim of this MOOC is to improve fundamental academic skills for EFL students such as reading, writing, and listening, who are planning to enter or transfer to foreign universities. Finally, the presenter is going to show the positive results of a survey and the students’ feedback after they have completed a MOOC, and share with attendees how to make the most effective use of MOOCS to EFL courses in Korea as well as Japan.
Biographicals
Ms. Yasuko Sato is currently a lecturer of Faculty of International and Information Studies at Niigata University of International and Information Studies. She has been coordinated Basic English Courses since the new faculty launched at NUIS in 2014. Ms. Sato was educated at Tsuda College in Tokyo, Japan and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature. After working at high school as a teacher of English for three years in Tokyo, she was educated at Central Washington University in WA, USA, and received a MA degree in TESL&TEFL, while being granted with a scholarship. She used to work at high school and universities as a full-time and part-time lecturer of English language for more than 20 years. Ms. Sato has done some awarded research in teaching of EFL, CALL, MOOCS, and applied linguistics for Japanese University.
See the list of Presentations at the KOTESOL 2018 National Conference
