Custom Websites
for IT Literacy / Media Literacy,
and many other courses…
I designed and developed a series of custom course websites to serve as the central learning platform for several university courses taught in the English-medium E-Track program and normal Japanese-medium program at Tokyo International University. These websites functioned as the primary hub for course content, assignments, feedback, and communication, creating a cohesive digital learning environment for international students and native students alike.
A prominent example was the IT Literacy / Media Literacy course, for which I designed the curriculum and digital learning infrastructure. The course focused on critical digital skills, including information evaluation, responsible technology use, online research strategies, and media literacy in a global information environment.
Each course website was built as a student-centered learning space, combining structured lesson content with interactive assignments and clear submission workflows. Students could easily navigate weekly lessons, access multimedia resources, submit assignments, and receive detailed feedback through a unified web interface.
Over time, the IT Literacy course became one of the most popular electives in the program, expanding to five sections per academic term with approximately 20–30 students in each class. The strong demand for the course reflected both the relevance of the curriculum and the effectiveness of the web-based learning environment.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, these course websites became a critical component of instructional continuity. When in-person classes were suspended, the websites served as the primary meeting place for the course community. They enabled students to stay engaged with course materials, maintain communication with instructors, and continue submitting and receiving feedback on assignments despite the disruption to campus life.
Student feedback consistently highlighted the course websites as one of the most valuable aspects of the class experience. Many students reported that the clear organization, accessibility of materials, and integrated feedback system significantly improved their learning and motivation.
This project demonstrated how custom web platforms can enhance university teaching, support international students, and maintain strong learning communities even in fully online environments.
Key Contributions
- Designed and developed bespoke course websites used as the central platform for multiple university classes.
- Created and implemented the IT Literacy / Media Literacy curriculum for international undergraduate students.
- Built a scalable digital course infrastructure supporting many different classes.
- Integrated lesson materials, assignments, and feedback into a unified learning environment.
- Maintained strong student engagement and community during the COVID-19 transition to remote learning.
- Received consistently positive student feedback regarding the usability and effectiveness of the course websites.
- Demonstrated innovative use of web technology to support digital literacy education and international students.
- Demonstrated innovative use of web technologies to support second language education: reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills.
Richard Schoonmaker 