Digital Textbooks Regulatory Reform Council Working Group on Employment and Human Resource Development Relaxation of Standards for Digital Textbooks Under Consideration (NHK)
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/…/20201023/k10012677461000.html
The day before yesterday, the Employment and Human Resource Development Working Group of the Regulatory Reform Council—of which I am a member—held a meeting, so I once again submitted the following requests. Regarding the regulation on digital textbooks (1/2), since the basis for its introduction is unclear, I believe it should be reviewed promptly; I would appreciate your attention to this matter. I also ask for your attention to the other matters.
1. Establishing Online Learning Environments in Schools and at Home
1) Provide digital textbooks free of charge to all students in compulsory education. In addition, repeal the regulation limiting the use of digital textbooks to less than one-half of the total class hours for each subject.
2) Implement policies to reduce the financial burden so that all students can learn online at home.
2. Implementing a hybrid education model that combines online and in-person learning
1) Relax the various requirements for distance learning (such as the presence of a teacher on the learner’s side and real-time, two-way interaction) and make these changes permanent.
2) Promptly implement permanent deregulation in the Enforcement Regulations of the School Education Act, the Standards for the Establishment of Universities, and related ministerial ordinances and public notices, including the removal of the 60-credit limit on media-related courses at universities.
3. Pioneering Future-Oriented Education
By incorporating cutting-edge technologies such as AI, IoT, big data, VR/AR, and blockchain into education, we aim to move away from a system based on standard class hours and transition to a competency-based approach. This will enable learning that transcends grade levels and provide individually optimized learning experiences that ensure no child is left behind, regardless of their diverse backgrounds.
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.”
