John Blake

Teaching

My current post is associate professor within the Center for Language Research at the University of Aizu, the first university in Japan to specialize in computer science and education. All my teaching is blended which means that face-to-face interaction in lectures or tutorials is supported by online materials. In each course, students can find digital copies of classroom materials in addition to additional readings, supplementary videos, interactive quizzes and other activities. I am a firm believer in open-access, open-source and open learning and share all materials - warts and all.

My teaching philosophy is eclectic and I draw on whatever method and means that will help my students achieve their goals and objectives in the most effective and efficient manner. My teaching philosophy is constantly evolving, but a detailed overview of how it was in 2013 can be found in the link. Concepts that I regularly integrate into courses, include:

  • student-centred learning,
  • activity-based learning,
  • scaffolding through peer support,
  • autonomous learning,
  • blended learning and
  • flipped classrooms.

I am a strong believer in the scholarship of learning, and so seek out opportunities to share my experiences with peers.

Courses taught in academic year 2019/20

Course materials, assignments and additional resources are available to registered students on Schoology. Links to open-access course websites are given below.

Courses previously taught in the University of Aizu

Contact details

(c) John Blake 2019