◆◇ Digital Textbook and Educational Materials Council News ◇◆ Vol. 045

After a string of typhoons brought unstable weather, it finally looks like we’ll be blessed with some clear, sunny autumn weather.
It’s about time to start enjoying the fall foliage, isn’t it?

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

Digital Textbook and Educational Materials Council Secretariat

Table of Contents ——————————————————
・Topics
・Activity Report (Study Sessions/Steering Committee)
・Member Information
・Media
・Information on Digital Textbooks and Educational Materials
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　　　　 Topics
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The “e-Learning Award 2013 Forum,” sponsored by DiTT, is scheduled to be held
in Ochanomizu from November 20 to 22.

Under the title “Latest ICT Case Studies from Japan and Around the World: Current Status and Future Developments,”
Secretary-General Ichiya Nakamura will deliver a lecture.
http://www.elearningawards.jp/program3detail.html

We hope you can join us.

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　　　　 Activity Report
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≪Study Session≫
We held our 39th study session on Tuesday, October 15.

Guest Presentations

■ Dentsu International Information Services, Inc., Open Innovation Research Institute
　 Senior Consultant Akie Sekijima
　　　 “Individualized Learning Support Through Tablet Use and the Effectiveness of Digital Educational Materials: An Introduction to Our Pilot Study”

■ NEC Corporation, Manager Yasushi Kataoka
　Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications “Research on the Utilization of Cutting-Edge ICT in the Field of Education”
　　　　　　 　The Japan Society for the Promotion of Educational Technology’s Initiatives in This Research Project

*You can view the study session report at the URL below. (To be uploaded soon)
http://ditt.jp/report/

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≪Steering Committee≫
The 16th Subcommittee meeting was held on the 15th.
On this occasion, Mr. Yasushi Kataoka of NEC Corporation gave a presentation on “NEC’s Initiatives Regarding Educational Tablets.”

In addition to its educational cloud services—including school administration systems—NEC provides Windows
tablets and Android tablets to educational institutions.
His presentation focused primarily on Windows tablets.
He explained that tablets are used in a wide variety of settings—not only for collaborative learning but also for whole-class instruction, individual learning, and home study—and that a key feature of NEC’s service is its ability to provide a comprehensive solution, including the necessary hardware (tablets, interactive whiteboards, and Wi-Fi) as well as support and training (software).
NEC’s key strength lies in its ability to provide a comprehensive solution that includes the necessary hardware (tablets, interactive whiteboards, and Wi-Fi) along with support and training (software).

Currently, tablet PCs are often introduced when computer labs are upgraded, but
it appears that many school boards and schools are still exploring how best to utilize them.
To promote their effective use, the pilot projects presented by Mr. Sekijima at the study session, as well as research and surveys conducted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, are considered crucial. In addition, proposals for utilization from companies, as well as improvements to both hardware and software, are necessary.
　
DiTT also intends to continue providing our members with information on usage methods and improvements to hardware
and software that will lead to such improvements through study sessions and other events.

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　　　　Member Information
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Introducing three new corporate members.

<General Members>
・Lines Co., Ltd.
http://www.education.jp/

・All Japan Paper Products Industry Association

・Fuji Soft Inc.
http://www.fsi.co.jp/solution/education/

As of November 1, 2013, there are 112 member companies.
Please visit the page below for more details!
http://ditt.jp/about/member.html

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　　Media Coverage Information
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■ Mainichi Shimbun
Series feature “Let’s Learn Digitally” (published in the Tokyo edition of the Mainichi Shimbun morning paper on the fourth Tuesday of each month)
October installment.

Development of Digital “Textbooks” Proceeds: 12 Major Companies Collaborate on Tablet Versions (October 22)
http://mainichi.jp/feature/news/20131022ddm013100025000c.html

http://ditt.jp/media/

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　Information on Digital Textbooks and Educational Materials
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October 7, 2013
What happens when every student in school has their own iPad?
http://diamond.jp/articles/-/41997

October 7, 2013
[Educational Use of Tablet Devices] Adoption Status by Local Boards of Education
http://www.kknews.co.jp/maruti/news/2013/1007_4a.html

October 15, 2013
Docomo and the University of Tokyo Conduct Joint Research to Verify the Effectiveness of Flipped Learning Using MOOCs
http://resemom.jp/article/2013/10/15/15577.html

October 18, 2013
Information Technology: Overcoming the Disadvantages of Remote Islands
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/kyoiku/jijou/tiiki/20131011-OYT8T00813.htm?from=nav

October 23, 2013
New iPad Announced; Tablet Devices Bring Rapid Changes to the Classroom
http://news.tbs.co.jp/20131023/newseye/tbs_newseye2037364.html

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

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

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◆◇ DiTT NEWS ◇◆　vol.0045
Published by: Digital Textbook and Educational Materials Council
Publication Date: November 1, 2013
Editor-in-Chief: Nanako Ishido
Editor: Asaka Uchiyama
URL: http://ditt.jp/
e-mail: ditt@ditt.jp
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