Programming Education Launch of the Preparatory Committee for the “Japan Society for STEM Education” and the “Programming Education Research Group”! I, too, will serve as a member of the preparatory committee alongside
Professor Kanji Akahori, Professor Yuichiro Anzai, Professor Hajime Shirakami, and Professor Kazufumi Nakagawa.
Kenichi Arai, Chairman of CRET, is serving as acting representative.
https://www.cret.or.jp/column/26/
Purpose of Establishment: With advances in
science and technology, initiatives in STEM education are increasing, particularly in
developed countries, to foster the qualities and abilities necessary for 21st-century society.
Currently, various derivatives of STEM—
such as STEAM (which adds Art) and STREAM (which adds Robotics)—have emerged, expanding the concept. Programming education is a
representative learning activity;
in Japan, it has been made mandatory under the new curriculum guidelines for elementary schools and is now incorporated into
science and mathematics classes from a STEM education perspective.
However, no academic society has yet been established in Japan to conduct research on such education from an academic perspective and translate that research into
more effective educational practices.
Therefore, we have decided to establish
this Society to support educational practices in the STEM field—including programming education—so that they are
systematic, theoretically grounded, and capable of meeting societal expectations.This Society aims to consider the
future direction of STEM education—including STEM and its derivatives—and
to collaborate with international academic societies and other organizations to contribute to the development of the qualities and competencies necessary for 21st-century society.
We would be delighted if you would support our mission and participate widely, regardless of whether you are from industry, government, or academia.
Members of the Preparatory Committee (in alphabetical order; honorifics omitted): Kanji
Akahori (Chairman, ICT CONNECT21, General Incorporated Association); Kenichi
Arai (Chairperson, NPO Educational Test Research Center) *Acting Representative
: Yuichiro Anzai (President, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science); Nanako
Ishido (Chairperson, CANVAS NPO) Hajime
Shiromizu (Professor, University of Tokyo) Kazufumi
Nakagawa (Professor, Open University of Japan)
<Secretariat>
Toru Sumitani (CRET Executive Director), Education Test Research Center (CRET), a Specified Nonprofit Corporation
Establishment of the Study
Group on Programming Education/Computing Education (Administrative Office: TBA) within the Society
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.”
