2014 Volume 20 Issue 2 Pages 35-44
This project promotes teacher collaboration for the professional development of Japanese language teachers. Practical activities in an e-portfolio and Learning Management System for six months, following which a focus group interview and questionnaires revealed the following: (1) participants did not have sufficient opportunities to communicate with each other; (2) young teachers were hesitant to express their ideas and opinions to senior participants; (3) continuing discussion among participants was needed to build and sustain a community of practitioners; and (4) e-teaching portfolio was the effective tools for focusing on and analyzing their own practices. Based on this practice, in the second period (Nov. 2012-May, 2013), participants were divided into eight sub-groups and were collaboratively conducting project work for student exchange and planning the seminar for local teachers through web sites.
