Facilitating Self-Regulated Learning: An Exploratory Case of Teaching a University Course on Japanese Society

This paper explores practical strategies that can be used by university teachers to facilitate studentcentered, self-regulated learning. My primary objective as a university teacher is to be directly involved in my students’ efforts by connecting my teaching expertise with their self-regulated learning process. I have developed a strategic alignment model of teaching and learning, which is a practical instructional model that can be applied regardless of the academic discipline. Locating university teaching as a collaborative process of knowledge production between teachers and students, this paper presents an exploratory case wherein the teacher supports his students by providing them with a well-programmed teaching schedule. The students respond to their teacher’s efforts by showing a high level of commitment. Ultimately, this paper claims that such collaboration contributes significantly to the creation of a dynamic research culture at a university.