◆◇ Digital Textbook and Educational Materials Council News ◇◆ Vol. 040

The rainy season began earlier than usual this year.
We’re in for a stretch of gloomy weather.

We would like to express our sincere thanks to the many people who have registered for the symposium to be held on the 17th.
We look forward to seeing you there.
We look forward to seeing you there.

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

Digital Textbook and Educational Materials Council Secretariat

Table of Contents ——————————————————
・Topics
・Activity Reports (Study Sessions/Steering Committee)
・Announcements from Member Companies
・Media
・Information on Digital Textbooks and Educational Materials
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　　　　 Topics
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■ Symposium Announcement

Monday, June 17, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
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Announcement: “From Vision to Action! Leading the World in ICT Education!
　~DiTT Results Presentation 2013~”
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Location: North Hall, Keio University Mita Campus
http://www.keio.ac.jp/ja/access/mita.html

Along with activity reports and pilot study findings, we will host a panel discussion to introduce cutting-edge ICT education in Japan and around the world while discussing future trends.

Click here for details and to register
http://ditt.jp/news/?id=1954

■We have received notice that a promotional video for Future School from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has been published on the Ministry’s YouTube channel.
↓
It can be viewed on smartphones and other devices.

○ Awareness Video (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications YouTube Channel Version)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2QPBC3G8l8&feature;=youtu.be

Additionally, if you encounter viewing restrictions on YouTube,
you can watch the video at the following address (assuming a Windows environment).
○ Public Awareness Video (Broadband Version)
http://www.soumu.go.jp/menu_kyotsuu/media/asx/future_school_h24-broadand.asx

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　　　　 Activity Report
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≪Study Session≫
We held our 34th study session on Monday, May 20.

Guest Presentation

■ Ms. Satomi Sato, Department Manager, Business Promotion Department, Eduas Co., Ltd.
　“Supporting Children with Special Needs Through Technology:
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　The ‘Magic Project’”

■ Professor Kazuyoshi Koyanagi, Graduate School of Education, Nara University of Education
　“The Future of 21st-Century Competency Assessment: Current Status and Challenges in International Discussions”

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

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≪Steering Committee≫

　The 11th subcommittee meeting was held on May 20.
On this occasion, Associate Professor Takeo Kondo of the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology at the University of Tokyo—who conducted the pilot study last year—
delivered a lecture that also served as a report on the pilot study, followed by
a question-and-answer session.
In the lecture titled “The Use of Digital Textbooks and Teaching Materials Based on Commercially Available Products for Children with Reading and Writing Disabilities,” he began by presenting the results of a survey released last December by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), which indicated that 6.5% of students in regular classrooms may have developmental disabilities.
This represents a slight increase from a similar survey conducted 10 years ago, and it demonstrated that many children with learning difficulties are in regular classrooms rather than in special education schools or classes.
Among these, “print disabilities” were highlighted; the presentation showed that while children with visual impairments, physical disabilities, or learning disabilities (LD) may find it difficult to read printed materials, they were able to learn using digital textbooks and tools, and empirical results demonstrated that their academic test scores actually improved.
I felt that the fact that using digital textbooks and educational materials not only helps children with good grades
improve even further but also supports children who are struggling with their studies
is an important perspective to consider
when promoting the use of digital textbooks and educational materials.

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　　Announcements from Member Companies
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■NEC Corporation
・Announcement of the “NEC School ICT Promotion Solution” to realize 21st-century classroom environments
http://www.nec.co.jp/products/bizpc/promotion/school-ict/index.shtml

NEC has begun sales of the “NEC School ICT Promotion Solution,” which
.
NEC provides a comprehensive, one-stop solution—from the introduction of ICT equipment to maintenance and support, as well as ICT training for teachers conducting classes.
Please click here for more details.
http://www.nec.co.jp/products/bizpc/promotion/school-ict/index.shtml

・Call for Participants: “International Digital Textbook Workshop” Hosted by the Japan Electronic Publishing Association (JEPA)
http://kokucheese.com/event/index/88108/

This is a technical workshop on the current state and future prospects of digital textbooks.
Speakers include Markus Gylling, CTO of the IDPF (which developed EPUB); Hiroshi Kawamura, former Chairman of the International DAISY Consortium;
Yasuhisa Tamura of Sophia University, a member of ISO/IEC SC36; and speakers from Benesse Corporation
Kenji Abe and Kazuyuki Kuwano.
We invite anyone interested to attend.
Please note that attendance is free for JAPA member companies, while DiTT members are required to pay a fee. A limited number of seats have been reserved for DiTT members.

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　　Media Coverage Information
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■Office Magazine
Digital Textbooks to Be Fully Implemented in 15 Years　
http://ditt.jp/office/OfficeMagazine.pdf

Media coverage is updated regularly on the page below.
http://ditt.jp/media/

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　Information on Digital Textbooks and Teaching Materials
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May 10, 2013
・NHK releases “Math Academy Zero-One Class,” a program-linked interactive whiteboard curriculum, on the Web
http://resemom.jp/article/2013/05/10/13411.html

May 14, 2013
・Presentation event on iPad use in education features nine pioneers as speakers
http://resemom.jp/article/2013/05/14/13443.html

May 16, 2013
・Qualcomm and Renaissance High School Launch “Tablet × Digital Textbook” Project
http://resemom.jp/article/2013/05/16/13509.html

May 20, 2013
・Takeo City, Saga Prefecture, Distributes Tablet Devices to Approximately 4,000 Elementary and Junior High School Students—a First in Japan
http://news.mynavi.jp/news/2013/05/20/223/index.html

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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
committee meetings organized by DiTT.

In addition, we provide information on digital textbooks and educational materials, and
organize social gatherings 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.0040
Published by: Digital Textbook and Educational Materials Council
Publication Date: June 3, 2013
Editor-in-Chief: Nanako Ishido
Editor: Asaka Uchiyama
URL: http://ditt.jp/
e-mail: ditt@ditt.jp
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