Learning of Tomorrow [Press Release] “All Classes Online—A Statement on Promoting Online Education”—Learning of Tomorrow Announces Its Proposal! The General Incorporated Association Learning of Tomorrow (Chairman: Hiroshi Komiyama, Chairman of the Mitsubishi Research Institute (http://lot.or.jp/)) has announced a proposal strongly advocating for online education to ensure uninterrupted educational opportunities even in the event of infectious diseases with the potential for rapid nationwide spread, large-scale earthquakes, or other emergencies.
Web URL: https://lot.or.jp/wp/report/1691/
March
2020, Learning of Tomorrow (General Incorporated Association)
https://lot.or.jp/about/structure/
To prevent the nationwide spread of the novel coronavirus, the government requested that schools across the country close, and schools nationwide did so. While schools are set to reopen at the start of the new school term, taking into account the specific circumstances of each region, there are concerns that not only will some areas continue to keep schools closed, but that other areas may also be forced to close schools again.
As a result of recent deregulation, distance learning on remote islands and media-based instruction in high schools and other educational institutions have been institutionalized; however, online instruction has been institutionalized only as an exception.
However, for children living in these unpredictable times, is it really enough to rely solely on in-person education as we have done in the past? How can we nurture the skills they will need in the future?
The key lies in the shift to online education. By introducing digital technology, we can boost children’s motivation to learn and promote academic improvement—all without being constrained by time or location—while also stimulating their creativity and expressive abilities. Collaborative learning, in which students teach and learn from one another, fosters the skills needed to thrive in the 21st century.Above all, we strongly urge legislative reforms to enhance online education so that educational opportunities can be guaranteed without interruption, even in the event of a new infectious disease with the potential for rapid nationwide spread, a large-scale earthquake, or other emergencies
. To vigorously promote online education, we hereby propose the following.
1. Promptly implement temporary regulatory easing under the “Enforcement Regulations of the School Education Act” (Ministry of Education Ordinance No. 11 of Shōwa 22), the “Standards for the Establishment of Universities” (Ministry of Education Ordinance No. 28 of Shōwa 31), and related ministerial ordinances, public notices, and other regulations.
2. Consider permanent deregulation of the Enforcement Regulations of the School Education Act, the Standards for the Establishment of Universities, and related ministerial ordinances, notifications, and other provisions.
3. To ensure educational opportunities for children and students in the event of a new infectious disease with the potential for rapid, nationwide spread, a large-scale earthquake, or other emergencies, the “Act on the Promotion of Information Technology in School Education (Act No. 47 of Reiwa 1)” shall be amended.
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.”
