The Practical Faculty Development Program
About the Practical Faculty Development Program
Practical FD Program aims to enable instructors to acquire knowledge and skills that allow them to reflect on their own teaching from both disciplinary and pedagogical perspectives, with particular emphasis on developing the ability to practice active learning. The content consists of materials designed to help participants acquire fundamental knowledge and skills required for effective teaching practice, as well as materials that provide systematic theories and information related to academic practices in education expected of university faculty members.
Learning Objectives of Practical FD Program
- Acquire the fundamental knowledge and skills necessary to conduct classes independently in higher education institution.
- Acquire the knowledge and skills to autonomously enhance teaching competencies as a faculty member in higher education institution.
Course Handbook
Please refer to the handbook below for details.
| AY2026 Course Handbook | click here |
|---|---|
| AY2026 Curriculum Map | click here |
Program Introduction Video
＊English version of the video is coming soon.
Enrollment of the Practical FD Program
Practical FD Program Term
Single Academic Year (April～March)
※Completion is assessed around September and March. VOD content provided in Phase 1 can be viewed
until the end of March.
※Please note that your enrollment history will be reset once the academic year of enrollment has ended.
Eligibility for the Practical FD Program
Individuals who are currently teaching at universities, or plan to teach in the future
(Those with limited teaching experience in higher education, those aiming to become university faculty, those wishing to improve their courses, and those interested in teaching at a university)
Completion Process
Open Badges (as proof of achieving the learning objectives) will be issued to participants who meet the completion requirements set by Ritsumeikan University. All processes- from enrollment and course completion to the issuance of the Open Badge- can be completed entirely online, making it easy to participate.
Micro-Credentials/Open Badge
This program aims to foster learners’ motivation while promoting the visualization and portability of learning records and the digital transformation (DX) of education. Learning outcomes are recognized as micro-credentials, and upon successful completion, participants are issued Open Badges (Open Badges 3.0), which are digital credentials compliant with international standards. Open Badges include metadata such as learning outcomes and learning volume, making it possible to objectively demonstrate learning achievements and to utilize them as a mechanism that contributes to quality assurance in university education.
We hope you will make use of this credential by presenting it at your next place of appointment and/or including it in application documents, as proof that you have acquired the fundamental knowledge and skills required to independently conduct and improve university classes.
In this program, in order to issue and award Open Badges, we provide participants’ personal information to the Open Badge Network Foundation. For inquiries regarding this matter and Open Badges, please contact the “Contact Information” below.
In this program, we adopt Open Badges issued by the Open Badge Network Foundation (https://www.openbadge.or.jp/). The Foundation is certified by 1EdTech, and enables centralized management not only as an issuer, but also with a view to display (Displayer) and storage (Host) for overseas universities and external companies.
(Scheduled for release in mid-March 2026) About Provision of participants’ personal information to a third party for the issuance and awarding of Open Badges
(Scheduled for release in mid-March 2026) About Overview of Our Open Badges
Single-Session Participation in the Practical FD Program
This program allows for both systematic enrollment aimed at completion and single-session participation (where completion is not necessarily the goal), where participants can select only the themes that interest them and view VOD content. Learning styles can be chosen flexibly to suit one’s own pace and needs.
※For single-session participation, the content provided in Phase 1 will be available.
Lecture Contents
Important Notes
- Ritsumeikan University will handle participants’ personal information appropriately in accordance with the Act on the Protection of Personal Information, the University’s Privacy Policy, and the Ritsumeikan Trust Regulations on the Protection of Personal Information.
- Ritsumeikan University will obtain and use participants’ learning records (e.g., viewing logs, progress status, test results, submitted assignments, etc.) for purposes such as the administration of this program; internal and external public relations; analysis and improvement; pass/fail decisions; completion certification; implementation of peer review; preparation, reporting, and publication of reports on this program; and the creation of statistical materials. In addition, for the issuance and awarding of Open Badges, participants’ personal information will be provided to the Open Badge Network (a General Incorporated Foundation).
- This program includes “peer review,” in which participants view other participants’ class videos and worksheets. During peer review, a participant’s face and name will be disclosed to other participants. Participants must strictly manage any information about other participants that they learn through peer review and must not disclose or leak such information to any third party.
- An Open Badge (Open Badges 3.0) will be awarded to those who complete this program; however, this program does not count as a Ritsumeikan University or Ritsumeikan University Graduate School course.
- Please note that bank transfer fees must be borne by the applicant.
- Please note that we cannot accept cancellations after application, nor can we provide refunds (including reimbursement of the program fee).
- Before applying, please be sure to review the following materials.
（Coming soon） Application Terms and Conditions
（Coming soon） Specified Commercial Transactions Act
（Coming soon）
Program Enrollment Application
For inquiries regarding enrollment in the program, please contact us using the details listed under “Contact Information.” When sending an email, please use the following subject line: “Inquiry: Application to Enroll in the Practical FD Program”.
※Email Template (Example)
- To: fd71cer [at] st.ritsumei.ac.jp （＊When sending an email, please replace “[at]” with “@”. ）
- Subject: “Inquiry: Application to Enroll in the Practical FD Program”
- Name:
- Affiliation (optional):
- Inquiry details:
Contact Information
Ritsumeikan University, Office of Academic Affairs, Division of Academic Affairs
Office of Center for Teaching and Learning
〒603-8577
Toji-in 56-1, Kita-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto-fu, Japan
TEL 075-465-8304／Mail : fd71cer[at]st.ritsumei.ac.jp
＊When sending an email, please replace “[at]” with “@”.
＊If you have forgotten the password to log in to your “MIRAI Learning Platform” My Page, please reset your password here. Please note that the Secretariat and each organization’s administrator are unable to confirm your password, even if you contact us.