2010年7月30日
[press release] Learning Assistance Program for High School Students by University Students and Adults through the Use of Social Media
The University of Tokyo
Benesse Corporation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The University of Tokyo and Benesse Corporation Begin Joint Research on Learning Assistance Program for High School Students by University Students and Adults through the Use of Social Media
TOKYO (July 30, 2010)--From August 2010 the University of Tokyo (national university corporation) and Benesse Corporation will commence joint research designed to assist high school students learn by linking them through social media for advice by university students as well as adults already in the workplace.
The Social Learning Program (SOCLA) to be developed through this joint research will allow an individual high school student equipped with an iPad to receive support from university students and adults via the Twitter messaging service. SOCLA is to be divided into two stages: 1) project learning and 2) basic learning. Project learning will involve study of the significance of actual work and advancement to the university education level, while the goal of basic learning will be for students to acquire core academic skills, including reading and composition. During FY2010, approximately twenty high school students and ten university students/adults will participate in actual testing related to project learning. Then during FY2011 research will be carried out to facilitate integration of the project learning and core learning. This will be the first attempt in Japan to develop an extracurricular program through such use of Twitter and the iPad.
This joint research will be centered on the Benesse Department of Educational Advanced Technology (BEAT) established within the Interfaculty Initiative in Information Studies at the University of Tokyo, which will be responsible for academic program development and evaluation. Benesse Corporation is also to make available its extensive knowledge concerning academic support for basic learning.
Through this joint research, the University of Tokyo and Benesse Corporation hope to give full play to their respective strengths by using the tablet-type computer terminals and social media that are expected to become increasingly popular in order to construct an unprecedented type of learning model.
[Press inquiries concerning this project should be directed to the following individuals.]
Associate Professor Yuhei YAMAUCHI
Benesse Department of Educational Advanced Technology
The University of Tokyo Interfaculty Initiative in Information Studies
contact@beatiii.jp
Tel: 03-5841-2663
SAKAMOTO, Public Relations Department (Kohoka)
Benesse Corporation
Tel 042-356-0657
• Project Learning Schedule
August 2 (Monday) ~ August 13 (Friday) [General Program]
Approximately 20 high school students will engage in an investigative learning process by being divided into three groups, studying respectively various aspects of university life, employment and academic/career, and while engaging in discussions with university student/adult supporters via Twitter will consider their own futures. Presentation of the results will be made on the final day, August 13.
August 16 (Monday) ~ August 21 (Saturday) [Special Program]
Several candidates from among the General Program participants will receive direct experience under the tutelage of the expert advisors listed below, and with support by Twitter from university students/adults will create reports on the significance of work. Presentation of the results will be made on the final day, August 21.
Note: The presentations on August 13 and August 21 are open to media coverage.
• Cooperating Experts
Makoto OOHORI, Representative Director, SRA (Software Research Associates, Inc.) Professional Services
Nobutada SAKO, Associate Professor, Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Shinshu University
Natsuko SHIRAKI, Representative Director, Hasuna Co., Ltd.
• Cooperating High Schools
Shonan Institute of Technology High School
Seigakuin Junior & Senior High School
Bunkyo Gakuin University Girls' Senior High School
Yasuda Gakuen High School
• Benesse Department of Educational Advanced Technology Seminar
This sponsored seminar was established at Tokyo University in FY2004 with support from Benesse Corporation. The objectives of its research include: the development of ubiquitous, mobile technology-based learning environments; development of educational systems using information on learning contexts; and, development of learning environments that use dynamic generation or collective knowledge in educational content. (http://beatiii.jp/)
• Twitter
Twitter is a social media service with around ten million users in Japan. This handy mini-blog service for sharing simple messages concerning daily occurrences, etc. within a maximum limit of 140 written characters is enjoying explosive growth.
• iPad
Apple Corporation put this tablet-type information device on sale in April 2010. It lacks a keyboard, but instead is equipped with a direct interface whereby the user directly manipulates icons on the multi-touch display screen through finger pressure. There are great expectations for employment of this device in areas where to date PCs have not fully penetrated, including uses in education and by the elderly.