Learning of Tomorrow Event Report: “Digital Archives That Foster Self-Directed Learning” At this week’s Learning of Tomorrow Online Lunch Symposium, we heard from Professor Akihiko Takano of the National Institute of Informatics about digital archives.
Based on the Cabinet Office’s “Intellectual Property Promotion Plan 2015,” Professor Takano served as chair and led the preparations for “Japan Search.” The official version was released at the end of August.
This is a cross-disciplinary integrated portal that allows users to perform a consolidated search of metadata for content in various fields, including books, cultural properties, and media arts, held by Japan.
They say they're making the content as open as possible to allow for free secondary use. By utilizing this content, it can be applied to online learning and used to create educational materials.
"As online education becomes more widespread, this is an extremely useful teaching resource," said Professor Takano.
Professor Takano has also launched another portal site called “Cultural Japan.”
Cultural Japan is a platform that aggregates information on Japanese culture available at art museums, museums, libraries, and other institutions around the world. It contains over one million entries.
One of its key features is the ability to search across national and institutional boundaries. You can search for collections at overseas museums and other institutions in Japanese.
You can search information from approximately 40 portals and museums, including Europeana—which centralizes information from numerous cultural institutions across the EU—as well as the U.S.-based DPLA, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the British Museum.
Using the “Self-Museum” feature, you can display your favorite works from collections around the world to create your very own art museum.
You can access museums all over the world, and while simply viewing the exhibits is fun in itself, linking them with digital textbooks promises to dramatically expand the world of learning.
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.”
