Creating a Professional Learning Network (PLN) for Japanese English Teachers

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K02986
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 09070:Educational technology-related
• Research Institution: The International University of Kagoshima (2021-2022); Nanzan University (2019-2020)
• Principal Investigator: TOLAND Sean Henry 鹿児島国際大学, 国際文化学部, 教授 (60803864)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): CRIPPS Anthony 南山大学, 外国語学部, 教授 (20352437) ; SAKAMOTO Fern 名古屋外国語大学, 外国語学部, 講師 (30803887)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: PLN / Online support / Teacher training / Workshops

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This research project provided meaningful pedagogical support to Japanese English teachers by establishing a blended community of practice that was customized to their own specific needs. The integrated platform that the research team created supported informal collegial learning and self-directed teacher development. The workshops and impromptu Zoom meetings that the researchers spearheaded further solidified the bonds of the PLN members and enabled them to share their concerns, teaching strategies, and lesson ideas. The research team plans to expand the Japanese Teachers of English PLN project in the future and integrate it into a series of professional development workshops which will be part of a proposed JSPS Kaken application.

Free Research Field

teacher development

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

プロフェッショナル・ラーニング・ネットワーク（PLN）は、教員の自己啓発を促進し、多くの教育者が経験する孤立感を解消するための強力な触媒である。教育者は継続的なサポートを必要とし、さまざまな専門的な開発活動に参加していく必要がある。