City & Tech
- 2020.08.10
- Online Workshop (2)
The online workshop followed this format: We mailed out workshop kits in advance and provided instructional videos so participants could create their projects at home. On the day of the online workshop, we gathered via Zoom to share and explore the finished projects.
In April, we held a workshop titled “Creating with ↑↓→← (Arrows)” in collaboration with Fukasawa Art.
Up, down, right, left. Use arrow cards to create whatever you like.Arrows, which originally serve as meaningful symbols, take on new meanings as children shape them. This program invites children to enjoy this shift in meaning while engaging in hands-on activities. Using arrow cards that naturally make you want to connect them or color them in, children are free to create whatever they like.
Then came the main event, where everyone brought their creations. When I asked, “Who wants to present?” everyone raised their hands. “What did you do differently?” “What was the hardest part?” One by one, they presented their work. Each creation had its own story. “When thunder rolls, a car drives by here…” It’s fascinating how even a simple arrow card can spark such a wide variety of imaginative ideas among the children.By toggling the video on and off, each child appears in a close-up. It creates a sense of specialness, as if they were under a spotlight. Then, after hearing about the creative touches in others’ work, they update their own projects. This time spent imitating each other and brainstorming ideas—such as “What if we tried this?”—is what makes an online workshop special. “It was so much fun to share what I made!” was the feedback from the children.
Profile
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Digital Picture Book Author Professor, Keio University; Ph.D. (Policy and Media)
Director, B Lab
Chairperson, Learning of Tomorrow (General Incorporated Association)
Chairperson, CANVASAfter 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.”
