In Japan, various theories and methodologies of English education born in other countries have been practiced, but the result has left a lot to be desired. Still, each theory has its own sociocultural background. When theory goes beyond its culture and locality, it transforms by losing its originality and absorbing new elements from a different…

Ensuring gains in the learning outcomes of college students has become a major concern for Japanese higher education institutions. In recent decades, national and public as well as private universities have been forced to embed learning outcomes into their curriculum. A number of studies have shown that the learning outcomes of students are…

Metacognitive knowledge--what students know about themselves, the tasks they complete and their learning strategies--is essential for successful self-directed learning. It follows that those who work in self-directed learning settings need to stimulate their students' metacognitive development. Previous research in metacognition has defined its…

Schools generally have been unable to keep up with the rapid technical changes in modern society. As a result, primary school age children worldwide are becoming self-taught independent e-learners and the gap between what they know and are able to do exceeds the learning outcomes for their schools' ICT (information communication technology)…

Presents a Web-based learning system designed for students to practice independently the fundamentals of mathematics, in which the system generates problems that the learner selects. Outlines the system's procedures as well as its advantages and drawbacks. (KS)

Describes a method used to provide mathematics students in Japanese colleges of engineering with supplementary exercises to aid their learning. Outlines the online operation of individualized exercises that help the students to understand mathematical methods used to solve problems and also mathematical ideas or concepts upon which methods are…

This paper focuses on the difficulties of learners of Japanese as a second language from non-kanji backgrounds and the special difficulties they encounter in trying to learn the kanji writing system. It is asserted that most teachers of Japanese as a second language do not spend enough time on kanji teaching, with the students typically forced to…

This paper provides a window into Japanese learners' thoughts about what it is necessary for teachers and learners to do in order to foster Japanese learner autonomy--and why Japanese learners would find this so difficult to do. There are numerous student journal and interview excerpts providing interesting insight to what Japanese learners think…

This paper argues that computers can be a useful tool for encouraging students to be active and independent learners, particularly in language learning. The key is to find appropriate activities and content to motivate students to learn actively and independently. Access to computers may present challenging obstacles for some teachers (supply,…

Defines self-regulated learning as a problem-solving or goal-directed process orchestrated by the student but influenced by others in the student's environment. Discovers that self-regulating programs in Japan and the United States are remarkably similar with some differences. Praises Japanese instructors' emphasis on effort over ability. (MJP)

This document presents the proceedings of the Wilderness Education Association's 2005 National Conference on Outdoor Leadership. Following a brief history of the Wilderness Education Association (WEA), 21 conference papers are presented. Topics of the conference papers include: wilderness education curriculum, programs, history, environmental…