TOFUGU: A blog dedicated to Japanese language and cultural learning in a fun and informative way. Created by Koichi (no last name, like madonna)
TEXTFUGU: a derivative of Tofugu - this site provides lesson plans and information specific to studying Japanese. This site has a much more structured and informative nature; however, at a certain point, you have to pay to view the content
Tofugu's youtube channel the Tofugu Youtube Channel
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Tokyo, Captured on Film
Japan from Eric Tsutomu on Vimeo.
Akihabara from Mircea on Vimeo.
Alone in Tokyo HD from Philip Bloom on Vimeo.
My Tokyo from schnobe on Vimeo.
Thats enough for now...
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
... On Constructionism and Interest
This distinction between example and concept is a fundamental point raised by the theory of constructionism, established by Seymour Papert. Constructionism highlights the importance of activity in the classroom - calling for students to learn by physically producing objects or interacting with systems, which target specific skills.
The objective is to provide a reality-based event, which allows the student to reconstruct the concepts learned using his or her own particular brand of mental architecture. This achieves an ideal balance of specificity and theory - offering the learning party a specific real-world instance, in addition to a conceptual model applicable in different scenarios.
This approach, however, requires a classroom or organized environment with multiple participants. In the self-study situation, these educational qualities are difficult to reproduce. Therefore, we must turn to a different component of Papart's theory, which was influenced by Jean Paiget's Constructivism (not to be confused with Papert's Constructionism): interest.
By engaging the student in real-life, tangible situations the student has a greater chance of successfully becoming interested in the material - "interest" being a keyword.
My objective in creating an animated short is to capture the attention of Japanese media fans, outside of Japan.
The objective is to provide a reality-based event, which allows the student to reconstruct the concepts learned using his or her own particular brand of mental architecture. This achieves an ideal balance of specificity and theory - offering the learning party a specific real-world instance, in addition to a conceptual model applicable in different scenarios.
This approach, however, requires a classroom or organized environment with multiple participants. In the self-study situation, these educational qualities are difficult to reproduce. Therefore, we must turn to a different component of Papart's theory, which was influenced by Jean Paiget's Constructivism (not to be confused with Papert's Constructionism): interest.
By engaging the student in real-life, tangible situations the student has a greater chance of successfully becoming interested in the material - "interest" being a keyword.
My objective in creating an animated short is to capture the attention of Japanese media fans, outside of Japan.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Timothy Reeder on Learning
(side note: titles is not meant to be taken seriously)
On the subject of techniques and approaches to studying the Japanese language (or any language for that matter), I find that two distinct varieties of information presentation emerge: first, conceptual models and, second, specific instances.
Conceptual models are exactly what they sound like - the rules and structure of a general practice. In the case of language study, this approach includes grammar patterns and language components that construct all forms of speech and writing. If a student learns the grammar for one variety of sentence, she could technically use that structure in multiple ways by simply switching out the vocabulary.
Conversely, learning specific instances or examples provides an understanding of common cultural usage and phrases. For example, in English I could say, "you won't be knowledgeable of something, if you don't experience it," yet it would be more familiar to the speaker if I simply said "you won't know, until you try." The former is not grammatically incorrect; however, it lacks the cultural backing the latter possesses.
Generally speaking, all language curriculums include a mix of both of these presentation formats; however, the distinction develops upon evaluating the balance of conceptual lessons and specific examples. Some learning philosophies encourage an emphasis on examples over models, claiming retention is more successful and, furthermore, more useful in real life situations. On the other hand, conceptual models appear to be more beneficial when viewed from a "teach a man to fish, feed him for life" perspective.
If the basic structures are understood, a student would be equipped with the knowledge to deal with a multitude of circumstances unlike a single phrase, which only communicates a limited amount of sentiment.
On the subject of techniques and approaches to studying the Japanese language (or any language for that matter), I find that two distinct varieties of information presentation emerge: first, conceptual models and, second, specific instances.
Conceptual models are exactly what they sound like - the rules and structure of a general practice. In the case of language study, this approach includes grammar patterns and language components that construct all forms of speech and writing. If a student learns the grammar for one variety of sentence, she could technically use that structure in multiple ways by simply switching out the vocabulary.
Conversely, learning specific instances or examples provides an understanding of common cultural usage and phrases. For example, in English I could say, "you won't be knowledgeable of something, if you don't experience it," yet it would be more familiar to the speaker if I simply said "you won't know, until you try." The former is not grammatically incorrect; however, it lacks the cultural backing the latter possesses.
Generally speaking, all language curriculums include a mix of both of these presentation formats; however, the distinction develops upon evaluating the balance of conceptual lessons and specific examples. Some learning philosophies encourage an emphasis on examples over models, claiming retention is more successful and, furthermore, more useful in real life situations. On the other hand, conceptual models appear to be more beneficial when viewed from a "teach a man to fish, feed him for life" perspective.
If the basic structures are understood, a student would be equipped with the knowledge to deal with a multitude of circumstances unlike a single phrase, which only communicates a limited amount of sentiment.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
MAKE: review - Denshi Jisho & Instrct Vid
MAKE: review -Denshi Jisho
Word DOC Download
Instructional Video I Made:
Instructional Video I Watched:
Word DOC Download
Instructional Video I Made:
Instructional Video I Watched:
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Web-Based Communities of Interest
1) Denshi Jisho
Jisho.org is an amazing Japanese language reference site, outfitted with multiple databases for looking-up words, sentence structures, kanji (Chinese characters in Japanese). Furthermore, each database is linked to the others, making cross-reference very easy. The forums on Jisho.org are a great resource for information on the language and the technical side of how the site is structured.
2) Anime Suki Forums
Anime Suki is a site designed to list the latest anime fan-subs (subtitles done freely by fans) fresh out of Japan. This site is not only a great place to visit to find new anime that may never reach America, but it also features a very active forum, which provides excellent discussions about Japanese media with devoted fans.
3) Nihongo Dekimasu
Packed with good intentions and illegal content, Nihongo Dekimasu (literally - "You can Japanese!") is all about offering media ranging from anime, music, comic books, movies, and interesting textbooks to make studying Japanese more fun, enjoyable, and above all else, entertaining. Sadly, all of the material is offered without permission. On the bright side, that means its all free!
Jisho.org is an amazing Japanese language reference site, outfitted with multiple databases for looking-up words, sentence structures, kanji (Chinese characters in Japanese). Furthermore, each database is linked to the others, making cross-reference very easy. The forums on Jisho.org are a great resource for information on the language and the technical side of how the site is structured.
2) Anime Suki Forums
Anime Suki is a site designed to list the latest anime fan-subs (subtitles done freely by fans) fresh out of Japan. This site is not only a great place to visit to find new anime that may never reach America, but it also features a very active forum, which provides excellent discussions about Japanese media with devoted fans.
3) Nihongo Dekimasu
Packed with good intentions and illegal content, Nihongo Dekimasu (literally - "You can Japanese!") is all about offering media ranging from anime, music, comic books, movies, and interesting textbooks to make studying Japanese more fun, enjoyable, and above all else, entertaining. Sadly, all of the material is offered without permission. On the bright side, that means its all free!
Example Thesis Documents
1) Koichi Sato's "Ki-Do-Ai-Raku"
2004 Thesis Project
Animated short
Japanese cultural components
Key conceptual components, which structure the paper throughout (ki, do, ai, and raku)
Koichi_Sato.pdf
2) Sailor Moon - Scout Guides
Character bibles
Combination of Character profiles, artwork, storyboards, and narrative structures
Sailor Jupiter - Scout Guide
3) Asako Kondo's The Blue Bird of Happiness
2003 Thesis Project
Project involves animation
Narrative designed to inspire and encourage curiosity
reaffirms the effectiveness of the academic format for my own proposal
asakothesisdocument.pdf
2004 Thesis Project
Animated short
Japanese cultural components
Key conceptual components, which structure the paper throughout (ki, do, ai, and raku)
Koichi_Sato.pdf
2) Sailor Moon - Scout Guides
Character bibles
Combination of Character profiles, artwork, storyboards, and narrative structures
Sailor Jupiter - Scout Guide
3) Asako Kondo's The Blue Bird of Happiness
2003 Thesis Project
Project involves animation
Narrative designed to inspire and encourage curiosity
reaffirms the effectiveness of the academic format for my own proposal
asakothesisdocument.pdf
Saturday, February 13, 2010
NEW SECTION
New Posting System:
1) All "in-progress" documentation concerning visual development of my thesis animation will be posted at the following link:
http://office-nihongo.blogspot.com/search/label/links
This link is also available at the top of the right sidebar on every page
2) Only major updates and development benchmarks will be posted in the prototypes section
1) All "in-progress" documentation concerning visual development of my thesis animation will be posted at the following link:
http://office-nihongo.blogspot.com/search/label/links
This link is also available at the top of the right sidebar on every page
2) Only major updates and development benchmarks will be posted in the prototypes section
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