Learning of Tomorrow Learning of Tomorrow Event Held: “Voices from the Front Lines of Education—Chiba University Elementary School’s Response to School Closures” At today’s Learning of Tomorrow Online Lunch Symposium, we spoke with Vice Principal Kei Ōki and Teacher Shōta Koike about Chiba University Elementary School’s response to school closures and their recommendations for post-COVID education.
Although the school’s ICT infrastructure was not yet fully developed, by utilizing Teams—with one account per student—it was able to launch online learning for all 650 students on the very first day of the temporary school closure.Not only classes but also school events—such as the Teams graduation ceremony and the Teams completion ceremony—were carried out smoothly and effectively online. Even during staggered attendance, the school created an environment where the entire class could learn together by utilizing live online broadcasts.
We also began an online learning period starting on July 13.
In the post-COVID era, shouldn’t we significantly shorten summer vacation and introduce a period of online learning—during which students do not attend school in person—as part of efforts to reform teachers’ working conditions? That is the proposal put forward by Professors Oki and Koike.
The rollout starting next week will be the first step in that process.
Our guiding principle is not “better safe than sorry,” but rather “a support when you fall.” In other words, we took an approach that respected teachers’ autonomy to the fullest extent, and our response during the school closures served as a model for the entire country.
Furthermore, the PTA’s establishment of the “IT Help Desk,” as well as its collaboration with local government and businesses, has been instrumental in fostering a sense of unity throughout the school and building a community partnership system centered on the school—all of which are truly commendable.
As I listened to the story, it seems there are plenty of quotes from Vice Principal Oki at that school. Apparently, the moment the school closed, he shouted, “This is our chance!”
Professor Oki and Professor Koike, thank you very much for your incredibly inspiring talk!
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.”
