Profile

Professional Background

I cannot believe I have been teaching for twenty years now (and boy, am I tired!). Actually, it has been fun, and a real adventure. Over that time I have worked as a Primary teacher in Australia and then in international schools in Shanghai and Hong Kong as a teacher of ESL, History, and Literature. I completed an MA in TESOL at Reading University in England in 1998/9. I arrived in Japan in  2000 and first worked at the English Language Institute (ELI), Kanda University of International Studies (KUIS). There, I was appointed Coordinator of the Internet Research Project and completed my contract as Senior Lecturer. Currently, I work in the English Language Program at International Christian University, where I am a program coordinator. My main professional interest is in the evolving impact of computers and the Internet on student learning environments (built and virtual), curriculum, and materials. My university teaching duties have also included Intensive English, Vocabulary, Learning Strategies, Media, EAP courses in Reading, Writing, and Speaking, as well as three CALL-based electives: Internet English, The Internet for English Language Teachers, and Social Learning Technologies. My full resume is available here.

My Professional Interests

At ICU, I have lead a curriculum renewal project which leverages social software services and simple, collaborative work practices to create at-a-click access to all shared program resources. This unique initiative represents one way that organizations can use new social technologies to connect everyone in open networks in order to promote access to – and effective use of – knowledge and information as tools of equitable and sustainable program development. While at KUIS, I implemented the Blended Learning Initiative (BLI) to fully integrate Internet and computer technology into student learning environments, the needs of programs and students, and to develop existing levels of expertise of faculty and students. As one element of this work, I designed and helped organize construction of six special classrooms or Blended Learning Spaces that enable face-to-face instruction with online learning. BLS are flexible-use learning environments, which integrate state-of-the-art audio and video technology, wireless laptops for each student, special fittings, such as whole-wall whiteboards, as well as furniture that is easily reconfigured. In tandem with the Blended Learning Spaces, I set-up and worked as Administrator of the KUIS Active Language Learning System (KALLS), an online course delivery system using Moodle software, which now supports 800 students and faculty institution-wide. At KUIS and at ICU, I have continued to explore how to effectively design and deliver blended learning by developing three elective courses, namely Internet English, The Internet for English Language Teachers, and Social Learning Technologies. This work recognises the importance of teaching the new skills of learning in an information era. At both universities, I have also given presentations and led numerous workshops aimed at developing the expertise of staff and students with learning technologies. Additionally, having learned much from ICU’s focus on critical thinking, I have woven the tools of critial analysis and evaluation into my own thinking and into my courses. As of 2009, I had published five articles in university journals.

My Personal Background

Originally I am from St Helens, Tasmania, Australia. It is a great little place by the sea, with fantastic beaches, clean air, and friendly people. I particularly enjoy Summer when we can catch a good feed of fish, collect some mussels, oysters, and an abalone or two, and return home to barbeque our catch as the sun goes down.

I like to maintain a healthy balance between work and recreation. I enjoy the company of friends and I avidly pursue interests in mountain biking, hiking, running, tennis, swimming, and the ocean. I also like listening to music, reading a good book, and going to the cinema. I still to love to travel, but the best of times now is spent with my four-year old son and his mom.

Contact Details

Email:

okokoj at gmail dot com (spam safe version)

Present professional address:

International Christian University

English Language Program

3-10-2 Osawa, Mitaka-shi

Tokyo 181-8585

JAPAN