2045 Ideathon on the Future of Learning

“An ideathon for thinking about the future of learning.”

Organized by Digital Textbook Teaching Council (DiTT), in cooperation with the NPO, "CANVAS".

  While the “Smart Education” of 1 device per student, the cloud, and social media  has yet to materialize,  at the same time digital technology is already rapidly moving towards big data, IoT, robots, and AI. How then, should we design future schools and learning? Now is the time for imagination and creativity.

  In 2045, AI is projected to exceed human capability, and become independent.

The so-called singularity.

Let’s look to the future, and think about the implications for school, education, and learning.

　

  Let's start with the children’s section.

Thirty children were asked to participate in a school and learning environment of the future.

   

  First we asked, “What are you unhappy with at your school now?”

“School lunch tastes bad.” “The gym is cold.” “The school is far.”

Yes, those are all very urgent.

“I can’t use my phone or tablet.” “The textbooks are heavy.”

Yes, we will solve these things.

  Some said that, “The teachers are selfish.” “They decide whether to turn on the AC or not.” The teacher points out, “If you use the wrong kanji, I will make you rewrite it.” “I forgot something.”

  Let’s resolve these feelings. The first proposal was digital education. “Everyone should have a tablet.” “You can study with manga and games.” “Everyone can share notes.”

“You can study with famous people.” You can study history with people from the past.” “A crayon that can color in the air.” “A tablet that can write what you think.”

Yes, I think all of these kinds of things are realistic.

“A machine that can insert information into your head without studying.”

That might mean that you won’t have to learn anything on your own.

“We’re connected to the teachers of the world virtually.” “A school without teachers.” “A school without classes.”

Of course it’s MOOCs will become the standard. We won't need schools.

“School exists so you can communicate in person.”

School is a place for dialogue and co-creation. Even these children know.

Many of the children expressed a desire for robots.

“1 robot per person.”

Really, a robot over a PC? What will you do with it?

“Make it clean.” “Make it pass out lunches.” “Setting the table with a drone.” “It can go to school for me when I take a day off.”

You’re gonna work them pretty hard huh.

Some boys came up with uses in sports.

“A bat that will never miss.” “A boost for soccer that can make you run far.” “The ability to make the goalkeepers hands bigger.”

I’d like to hear what my colleagues at the Superhuman Sports Society would say about these suggestions.

“The strongest suit. With sky mode, aqua mode, snow mode, and dark mode. It will emit an aura when in dark mode.”

So you want an aura huh.

　

And many of the children argued for a revolution in transportation.

“I want to warp.” “I want to fly with a balloon.” “I want the school to show up in front of my house.” “I want to ride on a robot.”

The kids who live in Tokyo seem to be very serious about their long commutes to school.

“A slide that will take you too and from school.”

Oh am always thinking that, even if it hurts my backside, I’d like something like that too for my commute to the university.

You and I are on the same wavelength kid.

“You can choose what you want for lunch.” “You can be served Haagen Dazs.” “A gymnasium with heated floors.” “A buzzer will sound if a boy goes into the girls bathroom.”

I see. These are very serious opinions pulled from everyday reality.

Comments like,

“They could suck up all of the exhaust fumes for us.” or “It will sort the trash.”

were many, but we didn’t consider such things in my time. Even though it was mostly us who polluted the air.

Are you really that concerned about the environment? Aren't you just saying what you think we adults want to hear?

“When you complain about a bad teacher, after school those teachers will be sent to a center and come back as nice teachers.”

This is probably these guys’ needy future. Terrifying.

Les Enfants Terribles!