◆◇ Digital Textbook and Educational Materials Council News ◇◆ Vol. 062

Although the bitter cold continues, I feel like the days have been getting a little longer lately.

We will be holding the “Digital New Year’s Party” on the 6th and the “DiTT Symposium Vol. 4” on the 23rd.
We look forward to seeing you there.

In this issue, along with a report on DiTT’s activities,
we will bring you the latest information on digital textbooks and educational materials.

Digital Textbook and Educational Materials Council Secretariat

Table of Contents ——————————————————
・Topics
・Activity Report (Study Sessions)
・Media
・Information on Digital Textbooks and Educational Materials
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　　　　 Topics
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■February 23 (Venue: G-SEC, 6th Floor, East Building, Keio University Mita Campus)
We will host a symposium titled “Envisioning the Future of Education: The Future as Envisioned by Pioneering Municipalities!” with the mayors of Tsukuba, Arakawa Ward, and Bizen as special guests.
We look forward to engaging in discussions on topics such as:
http://ditt.jp/news/?id=2081

We hope to engage in discussions on topics such as: “What is the difference between municipalities that can drive change and those that cannot?” and “How should we move forward from here?”
Click here to register
http://urx2.nu/fZXr

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　　　　 Activity Report
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≪Study Session≫
We held our 54th study session on Tuesday, January 20.

Guest Presentations

■ Mr. Koichi Nakamura, Representative Director, NPO eboard
“NPO eboard’s Initiatives for Lifelong Learning Through Online Education”

■Mr. Hiroyuki Sugiyama, Lead Engineer, Media Business Division, NTT Software Corporation
“Introduction to ‘Koemiru,’ a Support Tool for People with Hearing Impairments”

*You can view the study session report at the URL below.
http://ditt.jp/report/

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≪Study Session Overview≫

Mr. Nakamura, Representative Director of the NPO eboard, gave a presentation titled “Lifelong Learning Through Online Education: The Initiatives of the NPO
Eboard.”

As an NPO, I would like to focus on our initiatives and discuss the social issues we are addressing, as well as how we can use digital educational materials to solve these issues.
Eboard has identified three key issues:
1. Child poverty
2. School refusal and dropping out
3. Population decline
We hope to resolve these issues in collaboration with teachers in the field and others involved in education.
First, one in six children currently lives in a household affected by poverty. There is a tendency for poverty to be relatively linked to school refusal and dropping out.
Therefore, to create a society where no one gives up on learning, we would like to provide the following
values:
○ A learning environment accessible anytime, anywhere
○ Independent and self-directed “learning” (as opposed to “learning” by being taught)
○ Support for “adults who never give up on children’s learning”
The Elementary School Curriculum Guidelines define the desired academic competencies as foundational academic skills, 21st-century skills, and motivation to learn.
, eboard aims to solidify foundational academic skills and enhance motivation to learn.
Due to population decline, 500 schools are closing each year. While school consolidations and closures can lead to a wider range of academic ability within classes, the absence of local schools drives migration to cities, accelerating the declining birthrate, aging population,
and population decline will accelerate.
Therefore, we want to use ICT to provide educational opportunities that are on par with those in cities without requiring people to relocate, and we hope to create a society where adults never give up on learning.

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　　Media Coverage Information
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■ Education and Family Newspaper
“One Device Per Student” Goal Being Accelerated
http://ditt.jp/office/20150101_kyouikukatei.pdf

http://ditt.jp/media/

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　Information on Digital Textbooks and Educational Materials
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January 6, 2015
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Releases Promotional Video for ICT-Based Pilot Studies
http://resemom.jp/article/2015/01/06/22220.html

January 9, 2015
NEC Establishes ICT Rooms at 648 Locations, Including Schools, in Colombia

NEC／コロンビアで学校など648カ所にICTルーム構築

January 14, 2015
International IT Foundation: Over 50% of Teens Support Making Programming a Mandatory Part of the Curriculum

国際IT財団／プログラミング義務教育化に10代の5割超が賛成

January 21, 2015
Microsoft Selects Six Japanese Schools as “Microsoft Showcase Schools,” Leaders in Educational ICT Adoption
http://resemom.jp/article/2015/01/21/22502.html

January 21, 2015
“One iPad per Student” Brings Positive Changes for Students and Teachers and Reduces Stress in the Classroom
http://trendy.nikkeibp.co.jp/article/pickup/20150120/1062230/

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　.:*:.:♪*:. DiTT—Now Accepting Members *:.:♪*:.*:.
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The Digital Textbook and Educational Materials Council is currently accepting new members.
Executive members and general members are eligible to participate in study sessions and
committees organized by DiTT.

In addition, we provide information on digital textbooks and educational materials, as well as
organize networking events and other opportunities for members to exchange information.
Please visit the page below for more details!
URL: http://ditt.jp/join

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◆◇ DiTT NEWS ◇◆　vol.0062
Publisher: Digital Textbook and Teaching Materials Council
Date of Publication: February 2, 2015
Editor-in-Chief: Nanako Ishido
Editor: Asaka Uchiyama
URL: http://ditt.jp/
e-mail: ditt@ditt.jp
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