Learning of Tomorrow has begun

 ■ Learning of Tomorrow has begun

A symposium was held at Keio University on the establishment of the “Learning of Tomorrow” association.

While teaching digital education and programming is now part of the curriculum at elementary school, there is a growing and serious shortage of human resources in IT and AI. This is an effort to construct a private collaborative framework that combines education and technology to provide recurrent training for preschool aged children to adults and those who wish to brush up their skills. 

Its purpose is to create next-generation education by conducting research, testing, awareness raising and policy proposals on IT and technology in education — be it through policies to foster IT human resources, or policies on introducing education on AI, big data and blockchain technology. 

All staff come from over 30 peak bodies in the digital sector, including IT, software and content production. There are 8,000 member companies under its umbrella. The Keidanren, the Intellectual Property Strategy Headquarters at the Prime Ministers Office and the Cabinet Secretariat IT Strategy Office participate as observers.

Now that the School Education Act and the Copyright  Act have been amended, we have seen great progress on matters such as the creation of a system for digital textbooks and other areas that we have been working on and making recommendations about. Now is the time to move toward 2020, such as by setting up the new framework of the Japan Electronics College and establishing the Digital National Strategic Special Zone CiP. This impetus will feed into the association. 

The symposium was a place for leaders of industry and academia to make commitments to progressing technology-centered and private-enterprise-led educational reforms. The Main Hall at Keio was full to overflowing (for the first time since its opening according to the caretaker.) This very motivated sector is forging a path forward. 

The business of the the association

1　Proposals

　◯ Policy proposals, collaboration with the cross-party Diet Members’ League for ICT in Education

2 Establishing a new environment for learning and fostering human resources 

　◯ Designing and testing future learning environments that surpass the bounds of the school

3 Promoting the use of cutting-edge technology in education

　◯ Introducing cutting-edge technology, such as AI, IoT, big data and blockchain technology, into education.

4　Promoting ICT education in ICT

　◯ Advancing education in programming, embedding information into education, and literacy education.

5　Supporting EdTech businesses

6 Fostering and securing ICT, AI and IoT professionals.