CALL & Information Education
CALL (Computer Assisted Language Learning)
CALL is a computerized English learning support system that allows students to supplement their regular face-to-face classes through self-study. CALL focuses mainly on reading and listening to build comprehensive English skills and to prepare for the TOEIC Test. By completing some of the many practice exercises in the system, students can improve their English until they are satisfied with their progress.
Academic year - Course content
First year students learn fundamentals through NetAcademy and teacher selected texts
Second year students learn applications through e-sia and teacher selected texts
In courses that use CALL, students are expected to conduct self-study using established online course materials. As this learning is taking place in addition to face-to-face classes, students will have opportunities to discuss with teachers any problems or questions they may have so that they can gain a deeper understanding of the material.
The internationalization of and the exchange of information in society have progressed at record speeds along with the development of the Internet, and members of today's society need to achieve practical English proficiency. By using CALL, students can adjust the materials to their current English level and study at their own pace in order to maximally improve their ability. We encourage not only our first and second year students, but all of our students and faculty, to use this innovative system.
Information education
As information technology develops, we are entering a society in which every individual owns and uses a personal computer to retrieve information and communicate with others over a network. Kumamoto University provides each student with an email address to use not only for communicating with faculty and other students but also for contacting companies to search for employment. Additionally, computers will be indispensable tools for students, as they will use them throughout their academic careers for tasks such as registering for courses and checking grades through the university's information system (SOSEKI), searching the library catalogs and databases, and using the Internet for research.
So that all students of the Faculty of Letters can understand the usefulness of computers and learn computer network basics, and so that students will learn computer skills that will be applicable not just in the classroom but also beyond graduation, we have established a system of information education in which students learn these skills gradually. In their first year, students complete the required Information Basics A and Information Basics B courses, and in their second year, they complete the required Information Processing A course as part of their technical education.
Information Basics A and Information Basics B offer students an introduction to information education. In addition to basic knowledge of information and computers, students will learn techniques such as basic computer operations, web searches, communication through email, creating and using word documents and spreadsheets, and using homepages as a means to convey information. As the content of information will become more and more important in the future, Information Basics A teaches students how to collect and process information and how to create their own content and plans. Additionally, the Faculty of Letters plans to enhance its computer and network environment for students to use freely in pursuing research and learning.