Alexandra Burke

About

Alexandra Burke has taught English in Japanese public education from K1-12 and university since 2005. This includes thousands of hours team teaching, observing classroom interactions. She studied activities increase student autonomy and which create unexpected barriers for neurodiverse students. Based on international best practice, in collaboration with Japanese colleagues, she trialed a range of culturally appropriate strategies. Her background is public policy on reducing inequality within the Australian Government. She's presented within Japan, overseas and currently teaches at three universities. Burke has won two Best Poster Awards at JALT International Conferences 2019, 2020 and three Michele Steele Best of JALT Chapter Awards 2020, 2021. She was the Plenary Speaker at CUE Conference in 2021. She is the Accessibility in Language Learning SIG Publications Chair, JALT Mind Brain Ed SIG Neurodiversity Advisor and a member of the JALT Diversity, Equality & Inclusion Committee.

Sessions

Language Classroom Content & Pedagogy Perspectives on Accessible Language Learning in the Post-pandemic Classroom more

Sun, Nov 14, 12:45-14:15 Asia/Tokyo

The move to online learning forced teachers to reconsider their pedagogies and how to provide equal educational opportunities for all learners. The virtual classroom created both challenges and opportunities for accommodating diverse needs. This forum provides a platform for discussions regarding accessible language learning in the post-pandemic classroom. Topics include special needs, learner diversity, universal design, and accessible LMS pedagogies. The goal is to raise awareness of learning differences and build an accessibility support network.

Ryota Moriya Natsuki Suzuki Andrew Reimann Alexandra Burke

Psychology & Language Learning Students Who Learn Differently: Towards a Discrimination-Free Classroom more

Sun, Nov 14, 10:45-11:45 Asia/Tokyo

In this workshop, we will talk about the students who may read, write, organize, and use their time very differently because of learning differences. You will learn about dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD, dyspraxia, autism, and vision. It will also give you some ideas on what tools and strategies you can use to help all students achieve. Learning differences affect about 10% or more of the population, so there are probably some in your class. Bring questions.

Alexandra Burke