April 2024: The ERC is Opens April 22nd!
The English Resource Center (ERC) is a place where students can gather and converse in English with teachers and other students as well as work on English homework and access various English resources. Click here to find out more!
??? Exciting Announcement! ???
Greetings, Earthlings and future cyborg enthusiasts! Get ready to embark on the most thrilling adventure of the Spring semester 2024, as we proudly present the upcoming blockbuster course: "Introduction to the Sociology of Human-Robot Interaction and AI Ethics - AL2"!
?? Synopsis:
Join us in exploring the perplexing world of robots, AI ethics, and human-robot love affairs (well, maybe not love affairs, but we'll discuss the potential for sparks). Inspired by the timeless laws penned by the legendary Isaac Asimov, we'll unravel the mysteries of morality, legality, and whether or not robots have the right to their own version of a wild robot dance party.
?? Key Questions:
- What makes a robot, besides shiny metal and a penchant for logical reasoning?
- Can robots have morals, and will they ever argue about who forgot to take out the virtual trash?
- Does giving robots access to our private lives mean we're inviting them to the ultimate digital tea party?
- War and robots: is it a match made in heaven, or the plot of the next blockbuster action movie?
- Unveiling the secrets of fair and trustworthy AI: because nobody wants a robot best friend who's secretly plotting world domination.
?? Mission Briefing:
Prepare for an out-of-this-world journey of interdisciplinary exploration, featuring texts from sociology, philosophy, ethics, and the mysterious realm of "human-robot interaction." Our mission is to enliven your curiosity, stimulate your brain cells, and equip you with the knowledge to navigate the technological future without accidentally marrying a robot.
??Why Attend?
- Dive deep into the moral dilemmas that keep your virtual assistant up at night.
- Explore the cosmic possibilities of human-robot relationships, without any fear of a digital breakup.
- Impress your friends with your newfound expertise in the social, moral, and cultural implications of AI.
And SO many other perfectly good reasons!
???Enrollment Details:
Don't miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Secure your seat in AL2 today, and become a certified expert in the future of human-robot love, war, and everything in between. ?
Access the syllabus here: https://risyu.saitama-u.ac.jp/Portal/Public/Syllabus/DetailMain.aspx?lct_year=2024&lct_cd=XZ600201&je_cd=1
May the algorithms be in your favor! ???
December 2023: Teacher Feature
Gritty Growth Mindsets with Dr. Stacey Vye
CEED Professor Stacey Vye presented the concepts of 'grit' and 'growth mindsets' at the Japan Association of Language Teaching JALT2023 Conference. Grit supports a growth mindset through two key components: the passion and perseverance people experience to improve their learning achievements (Duckworth, 2016). This presentation detailed how second to fourth-year university students in the elective English for Specific Purposes (ESP2b) course research their own self-directed learning. They actively study growth mindsets and grit by analyzing their mindset trajectories, surveying their grit, and designing their reports and presentations. In addition, the audience learned about implementing gritty growth mindset techniques through an educator and learner's growth mindset because teachers are learners too!
Reference
Duckworth, A. (2016). Grit: The power and passion of perseverance. Simon and Shuster.
(Vye's Presentation Details and QR Code)
(One Slide from ESP2b Student A's Self-directed Learning Presentation)
(One Slide from ESP2b Student B's Self-directed Learning Presentation)
Stacey Vye: is a professor at the Saitama University Center for English Education and Development (CEED). See her profile page for more information.
December 16th, 2023: Special Event at the Saitama City International Exchange Center
November 21st, 2022 (18:00 - 19:00): Special Seminar by NASA Scientist Dr. Paul Abell
September 2022: Teacher Feature
The ERC Facilitators Introduce the ERC and Related Courses
ERC facilitators Stacey Vye, Leander Hughes and Adriana Edwards Wurzinger introduce the ERC and related CEED courses that can help students build their English skills to prepare for studying abroad and life as a global citizen. Please note that the curriculum and registration policies may have changed since this video was made, so please check the current guidelines for the most up-to-date information. Also, please feel free to contact the facilitators for more information.
June 2022: The ERC is Open In-Person!
The English Resource Center (ERC) is a place where students can gather and converse in English with teachers and other students as well as work on English homework and access various English resources. Click here to find out more!
April 2022: Teacher Feature
English for Art and Design with Helene Yim
Artwork by Helene Yim
Helene Yim is a teacher whose love of language, art, and design has led her to develop a course called English for Art and Design.* In this course, learners put words to things which are primarily visual. The first part of the course is formal and begins with readings and the study of words that relate to lines, shapes, and 3D forms. Color is then explored to describe optical experiences. The second part of the course offers a glimpse into Greek mythology and the Christian religion, whose narrative traditions became the starting point for an astounding array of artistic expression. Lecture topics include prehistoric linear animal forms, Keith Haring’s outline shapes and gesture lines, the Bauhaus School, Impressionism vs. Expressionism, the fulfillment of promise in Greek mythology, and the concept of Passion in Christianity. Students will have weekly reading and writing assignments and give a presentation at the end of each semester.
Helene has been a part-time instructor at Saitama University for over ten years. She also translates documents into English for an American company in Tokyo. Before coming to Japan, Helene worked as a graphic designer in New York City. She was born in Boston and grew up in New Jersey in the United States.
*To find the course, go to the Saitama University syllabus and type "Yim" in the "教員名検索" box and "ESP" in the "キーワード検索" box.
August 2021: Teacher Feature
Leander’s ESP Course: Learn to Program and Make Your Own Game in English!
English is the language of the world, and code is the language of the internet which connects it. Knowing one or the other can open many doors in life. Learning both, though, can really multiply your opportunities, and since the code from which the web is built is based on English, learning the two together actually makes a lot of sense. This is exactly what we do in my English for Specific Purposes course on web programming for complete beginners, and unlike many coding courses for beginners, which tend to focus on basic web page design, students in this course create their own web-based games. This course is for complete beginners who have zero programming experience (although more advanced learners are welcome!).
We start by working through some tutorials I’ve created that give you all the basic web programming skills necessary to create your own choose-your-own-adventure game using the language of the web (HTML, CSS, and JavaScript). Soon, students begin working on their own games, developing their story and exchanging ideas in class. We also help each other solve programming problems that come up in our games using English. During the final week of the course, students present on their games and then we play them! One of my former students was kind enough to allow me to share her game “Color of the World” with you. Click the start screen below to play it!
Students who take the course for two quarters will have an opportunity to develop more advanced games in other programming languages if they wish. In 2020, second quarter students decided together that they wanted to try developing games the same way many professional developers do—by using Unity Game Engine and the C# programming language. Minori, one of my students from this class, has kindly allowed me to share her game with you. Click the image below to try it!
More recently, programming games in Scratch has also become an option. My student Yushin has allowed me to share a game he made using Scratch which is featured below. Click it to play, and if this course sounds interesting to you, sign up* and let the adventure begin!
*To find the course, go to the Saitama University syllabus and type "Leander" in the "教員名検索" box and "ESP" in the "キーワード検索" box.
Leander Hughes: is an associate professor at the Saitama University Center for English Education and Development (CEED). See his profile page for more information.
December 22nd: Christmas Party at the ERC Online!
October 30th: Halloween Party at the ERC Online!
September 2020
With the physical ERC currently closed due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, many students and faculty have voiced their desire for an online ERC. In response, we've developed the Zoom-based ERC Online. Visit our ERC page to find out more!
March 2020
Updates on the Coronavirus Outbreak
See the World Health Organization's latest updates and guidance regarding the coronavirus outbreak.
April 2019
The ERC Opens Monday April 15th
The English Resource Center (ERC) is a place where students can gather and converse in English with teachers and other students as well as work on English homework and access various English resources. The ERC will be open weekdays this semester from 3pm to 5pm starting on Monday April 15th. Looking forward to seeing you there!
April 2018
The ERC Opens Monday April 16th
The English Resource Center (ERC) is a place where students can gather and converse in English with teachers and other students as well as work on English homework and access various English resources. The ERC will be open weekdays this semester from 3pm to 5pm starting on Monday April 16th. Looking forward to seeing you there!
April 2017
The ERC Opens Monday April 17th
The English Resource Center (ERC) is a place where students can gather and converse in English with teachers and other students as well as work on English homework and access various English resources. The ERC will be open weekdays this semester from 3pm to 5pm starting on Monday April 17th. Looking forward to seeing you there!
background photo and page layout by Aram Lee
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