CREATIVE KIDS TOP Other Netsu-chū Elementary School, Etanbetsu Branch

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2021.07.10
Netsu-chū Elementary School, Etanbetsu Branch

I gave a talk at the Etanbetsu Branch of Netsu-chū Elementary School.

The background to this is that I was initially asked by Ms. Asada from the KMD family, and I thought I couldn’t say no, so I agreed to do it (*^^*)

I found the “Netsu-chu Elementary School” program—which provides a learning environment for adults based on the concept of “seeing the world through the eyes of a 7-year-old once again”—to be extremely interesting, and I was also drawn to Etanbetsu, a remote village with a population of just 200 people.

There’s a community of people there who are brimming with a passionate desire to make this village the most charming place in the world, and just listening to them talk gets me really excited.

Even when I go to a restaurant, everything—from the building and the furniture to the ingredients—has a story behind it, and they tell those stories with such passion.

And I realized that the Netsu-chu Elementary School plays a major role—whether in creating such stories, building a community to bring them to life, or sparking new projects.

There is a city called Reggio Emilia in Italy.

Ever since it gained worldwide fame for its citywide creativity education initiative, the city has been flooded with visitors from all over the world.

I went on a site visit myself, but they charge a pretty hefty fee for it.

And before I know it, I end up buying a whole bunch of stuff—like the kids’ art books and cheese, and all sorts of other things.

I wonder how much money I've spent there. They're really good at branding!

I realized this is no longer an education policy, but rather an urban policy.

How about Edanbetsu aiming to be number one in the world through "Learning of Tomorrow"?

And there's blue cheese, too!

By the way, when it comes to cheese, blue cheese is my favorite. And my favorite kind of cake is cheesecake.

They even have buckwheat galettes!

If there's galette, I'd like some cider, too.

It was just a day trip today, but next time I’d like to stay overnight and take my time.

To everyone in Etanbetsu, thank you very much for all your support. Thank you.


　

Profile


  • Digital Picture Book Author

    Professor, Keio University; Ph.D. (Policy and Media)
    Director, B Lab
    Chairperson, Learning of Tomorrow (General Incorporated Association)
    Chairperson, CANVAS

    After graduating from the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Tokyo, he served as a visiting researcher at the MIT Media Lab before founding the NPO CANVAS and the Learning of Tomorrow Association, a General Incorporated Association, and assuming the role of representative. He serves as an outside director for Matsuya Co., Ltd., Fuji Media Holdings, Inc., and Digital Garage, Inc.
    He has served on various government committees, including the Information and Communications Council of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, as well as the NHK Central Broadcasting Program Council. He also serves as a director of the Digital Signage Consortium, among other roles. He holds a Ph.D. in Policy and Media.
    His publications include *Turning On Children’s Creativity!*, *What Are Smart Kids Doing on Their Smartphones?*, *The Forefront of Online Education in Japan: Considering Learning in the Post-COVID Era*,“What Is Programming Education? 45 Questions Parents Want to Know,” and “Declaration on Digital Education.” He has also provided supervision for numerous works, including “Ah, I See! Programming Education for Parents and Children Through Manga.”