Binod Duwadi
Roles of Large Class ELT Teachers: Navigating With ICT Skill
Technology in Teaching (TnT)
45-minute workshop
I am exploring how large classes demand that teachers use modern technology and their expertise to navigate large class issues. There exist a couple of practical challenges in large-sized classes (Duwadi, 2020), for instance, physical space, giving individual attention, checking assignments, and providing feedback (Robertson, 2019). It makes real learning next to impossible. Teacher-centered rote methods become almost inevitable. With so many students, what else can even motivate them?
Binod Duwadi has earned a MPhil Research degree from Kathmandu University School of Education. Now, he works at the Faculty of English in Kathmandu University School of Management. He regularly publishes blogs and write-ups on large class issues, teachers’ roles, and critical pedagogy. He is fond of participating in national as well as international seminars.
Brian Rubrecht
Celling Like Hotcakes: The Spreadsheet Gradebook Solution
Technology in Teaching (TnT)
45-minute workshop
Instructors are often tasked with course-centric administrative duties, such as attendance taking, lesson planning, and tracking and calculating students’ grades. While commercial and open-source electronic gradebooks may be used, the common yet often overlooked spreadsheet may actually offer instructors more power and flexibility. The workshop presents the benefits and drawbacks of various gradebook options, and details the many ways spreadsheets may be used effectively to carry out instructors’ various course-centric tasks and responsibilities.
Brian G. Rubrecht is a professor in the School of Commerce at Meiji University, Tokyo, Japan. His degrees are in TESOL and Bilingual Education, as well as Foreign Language Education. His research interests include language learning motivation, pronunciation, and various practices that influence the teaching and learning of other languages.
Jerry Talandis Jr. & Theron Muller
Integrating Generative AI into Academic Writing Classrooms
Technology in Teaching (TnT)
90-minute workshop
This practical workshop addresses integrating generative AI (GAI) tools like ChatGPT into English academic writing classrooms. We will share three activities: (1) teaching students prompt engineering to effectively interact with GAI tools; (2) incorporating GAI into a reflective process-writing workflow, and (3) a creative writing task to engage students with GAI ethics. We will conclude by discussing practical issues concerning GAI implementation in the language classroom and by inviting interested participants to discuss possible collaborations.
Jerry Talandis Jr. is currently a professor at the University of Toyama, Japan. He has been teaching English in Japan since 1993. He has researched communicative language teaching, pragmatics, and language testing and is currently investigating generative AI in language learning. He has been active in JALT Publications since 1999. Theron Muller is an associate professor at Waseda University’s Faculty of Human Sciences. His doctorate is from The Open University, U.K., in which he explored the publication practices of Japan-based language teachers. He has published and presented widely on academic publishing, English language teaching and learning, and teacher development.
Robert Cvitkovic
AI Tools for Quantifying Speaking Assessments
Technology in Teaching (TnT)
45-minute workshop
This workshop explains how to use AI tools to assess speaking and pronunciation skills, offering a solution to the time-consuming process traditionally requiring human raters and transcription for comprehensibility and intelligibility scores. An AI methodology is introduced that simplifies these assessments, incorporating AI-developed rubrics and tools for precise scoring. By transitioning from subjective to objective, quantifiable methods, this approach provides educators with fast, accurate speaking proficiency data for quantifying speaking evaluation.
Bob Cvitkovic, an associate professor at Teikyo University, specializes in pronunciation and speaking fluency. His research explores the influence of L1 on L2 sound processing, with an interest in the potential of computer-mediated instruction to accelerate L2 speech perception and production skills.
Austin Pack, Juan Escalante, and Natasha Gillette
Master the Art of Prompt Engineering ChatGPT and GenAI
Technology in Teaching (TnT)
45-minute workshop
This 45-minute workshop introduces educators to the effective use of generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude, following Ingley and Pack’s (2023) prompt engineering framework. It offers hands-on experience in creating educational materials, assessments, and written feedback (Carlson et al., 2023) through interactive stations. Each station emphasizes practical, hands-on learning, facilitated by experts. Attendees are advised to bring a digital device to engage with generative AI tools.
Austin Pack is an assistant professor of English language teaching and learning at Brigham Young University-Hawaii. His research interests include language learning motivation, technology-enhanced language education, and complex dynamic systems. Juan Escalante is an assistant professor of English language teaching and learning at Brigham Young University-Hawaii. His research interests include technology enhanced-language education, teacher training, and language assessment. Natasha Gillette is an assistant professor of English language teaching and learning at Brigham Young University-Hawaii, specializing in language assessment and curriculum development.
Thatcher Spero
Using ChatGPT for Developing Students’ Academic Writing
Technology in Teaching (TnT)
45-minute workshop
This workshop will demonstrate how teachers can guide students’ use of ChatGPT in responsible and productive ways to benefit their learning when developing academic writing. Participants of this workshop can expect to develop a more nuanced and complex understanding of the use of AI-powered technology like ChatGPT in education, be introduced to tools that can be used for these purposes, and acquire specific skills for incorporating these tools into their teaching.
Thatcher A. Spero, PhD/MEd, is an associate professor of education in Musashino University’s Global Business Department, as well as a former professor in the School of International Liberal Studies at Waseda University in Japan, and a former Lecturer in the Department of Educational Policy Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the USA. Exploring the intersections of globalization, education, culture, language, and identity, his research interests lie in English education, multicultural/multilingual education, global education, and higher education internationalization.
Rab Paterson
Applying Google’s Applied Digital Skills to Your Teaching!
Technology in Teaching (TnT)
45-minute workshop
Google has a wide range of apps in its portfolio, some more useful and well-known than others. One of the apps that is a real time-saver for teachers (of all age groups) and very useful indeed, is the Applied Digital Skills Lesson Collection. This 45-minute workshop will introduce attendees to this curricular ecosystem and show how to use it efficiently, covering the many pros and a few cons and end with a Q&A.
Rab Paterson (BA, MA, CoETail, MS, MEd, FRAS, FRSA) teaches at Rikkyo University. He is a Best Of JALT, Apple Distinguished Educator, and Google Innovator award winner, and was on JALT’s Technical Advisory Committee. Rab has also presented worldwide including Keynote, Plenary, two TEDx presentations, and an Apple Showcase presentation.
Mike Mural
Channeling Creativity With Coding (and Animation)
Technology in Teaching (TnT)
45-minute workshop
Creativity, especially with regards to coding and animation, is becoming ever more popular in schools, and this now includes students using it for classroom projects. This workshop will demonstrate how to implement computer programming and animation into your program for student projects and extend it throughout the year.
Mike Mural is currently working at Yoyogi International School in Tokyo. He has over 20 years of international school experience. He is also an Apple Distinguished Educator (ADE) for Japan (Class of 2011) and has presented various educational- and technology-related workshops for teachers in Japan and Asia.
George MacLean
Achieving Better Assessment and Accountability Using Spreadsheets
Technology in Teaching (TnT)
90-minute workshop
This workshop will show how to build and maintain two parallel and related spreadsheets for any given course: one for the teacher that serves as a gradebook, and one for students that records homework, student feedback, and what was done in each class. Participants will be given templates that they can adapt for their individual teaching contexts, and a step-by-step demonstration and discussion on how to use and modify them will ensue.
George MacLean is a professor at the University of the Ryukyus. He has given over sixty workshops and presentations in over a dozen countries in the past decade. He serves on editorial and review boards for several educational journals and international conferences. His research interests include Feedback and ICT implementation.
William Brooks
Effective Use of TBL/PBL Exercises in the Classroom
Professional Development (PD)
45-minute workshop
Task-based learning (TBL) and Project-based learning (PBL) are effective methodologies that prioritize engaging students in completing tasks to create genuine language proficiency by immersing them in a natural context (Ellis et al., 2019; Long, 1985; Nunan, 1989; Willis, 1996).
In this session, the facilitator will showcase successful TBL and PBL project ideas, demonstrating their application in business English, writing, and conversation classes. The session will include practical case studies, pair, and group work exercises.
William Brooks is an associate professor of communication at Aichi University, Japan. He has developed various TBL and PBL projects for courses in the Faculty of International Communication. Most of these projects are designed for business English students, but others are used in his seminar and writing classes. His research interests include TBL, PBL, critical thinking, socioeconomics, and AI.
Prateek Sharma
Breathe, Teach, Thrive: Cultivating Mindfulness for Educators
Professional Development (PD)
45-minute workshop
This workshop aims to enhance the holistic wellness of university educators through mindfulness and breathing activities. By integrating evidence-based practices with philosophical literature, participants will explore techniques to manage stress, improve focus, and foster emotional resilience. The workshop will provide a supportive space for educators to prioritize self-care, ultimately contributing to a positive teaching environment. Through interactive sessions, I aim to equip university teachers with practical tools for maintaining optimal mental and emotional well-being.
Prateek Sharma holds an MA in TESOL and has taught in India and Japan. He is a certified yoga instructor and works at Kanda University of International Studies. His research interests include mindfulness in language education, peer reflection, advising in language learning, intercultural communication, and AI in language learning.
Geoffrey Carr
Indico for EFL Event Management: Set Your Team Up for Success
Professional Development (PD)
90-minute workshop
Targeted at EFL professionals tasked with conference management, this interactive workshop leads participants through the basics of event management on Indico. By walking through the configuration of each stage of the event, participants will learn how to leverage Indico’s comprehensive suite of tools. Attendees will leave with actionable insights and best practices for using Indico to enhance the impact and reach of conferences, making the most of this powerful platform to foster academic excellence and collaboration.
Geoff Carr, a tenured associate professor at Asahikawa City University, teaches CLIL literature, seminar, and survey courses. He established ACU's online internship and journaling programs and chairs the university's international committee. Presently, his research centers on iterative feedback methodologies for student writing and the development of hybrid assessment strategies in response to emerging LLM trends in education. He is active in the JALT CALL SIG in Japan, co-chairing the vetting team for the JALTCALL 2024 conference.
David Cruse
Critical Incidents in Teacher and Trainer Development
Professional Development (PD)
45-minute workshop
Critical incidents (particular challenges or dilemmas encountered whilst teaching) have long been used to empower novice teachers and trainers to reflect on and develop their practice. In this workshop, participants will see examples of critical incidents that have caused the presenter to reflect and have spurred his professional development. Participants will examine these and relate them to their own practice, as well as having the opportunity to discuss critical incidents in their own development.
David Cruse is Adult Courses Coordinator at the British Council Tokyo. He has been teaching English since 2001 and has taught across a wide range of contexts in the U.K. and Japan. His professional interests include materials development, mature learners, curriculum design, and learner progress.
Masda Yuka
Brain-Friendly Study Skills: Plans That Work for Your Dreams
Professional Development (PD)
90-minute workshop
Supported by research findings, the study skills workshops propose a bottom-up, holistic approach to learning for you and your students. They are composed of digestible science and practical solutions on various intriguing themes (e.g., why does your New Year's resolution always fail?).This session continues from last year's workshop on goal setting and bravely tackles the formidable enterprise of schedule planning and task management to help make your dreams—and resolutions—come true.
Masda Yuka teaches psychology and English at Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences. She is an organiser of White Water Writers, which helps Japanese speaking students write an English novel in 5 days and publish it online. Off duty she is a manga, music, go, and kabuki lover.
Timothy Gutierrez
Using Tabletop Role-Playing Games to Encourage Bilingualism
Professional Development (PD)
90-minute workshop
In addition to 2024 marking the 50th anniversary of JALT, it also marks the 50th year of the first tabletop role-playing game (Peterson, 2020), which has used role-playing and problem-solving tasks (Jackson, 2022) to engage people of all ages since then. Come and learn-by-doing in this engaging game that can be used to promote language learning with children of all ages. Special focus will be on using tabletop role-playing to engage children of bilingual families.
Timothy Gutierrez has been teaching in Japan for 20 years. He is currently applying his knowledge from his masters and doctoral studies in language pedagogy toward engaging second language learners with traditional and ludic language fluency tasks. His recent research efforts are publicized at blog.gutierrez94580.com.
