Hello, my name is Kaho Miyata. I’m going to propose a new educational system in Japan for the future generation.

Please think back to this April. Do you remember going and seeing the cherry blossoms? Most people would say “No”. Why?

Because at that time, Coronavirus threatened our daily lives and we have experienced great loss. Many students cannot go to school and cannot meet their friends.

However, we can see other possibilities and future opportunities because of coronavirus. Now, it is time to look for new prospects. Why don’t we think about the future of education together?

As a new educational system, I propose a combination of traditional learning and online learning because this pandemic made us realize both learning styles have their own benefits.

In this presentation, I suggest how this system works and how it benefits Japanese students. But first of all, what do we need to achieve this learning style? Yes, it is necessary to provide ICT devices and the means to use them.

Do you know what ICT is? ICT means information and communication technology. Examples of ICT devices are computer, iPhone and tablet, which facilitate interaction with the digital world.

I have a question. Is it possible to distribute and use ICT devices in Japan today?

Let’s look at the graphs. It shows the percentage of teachers who use ICT devices in the classroom. Please look at Japan's rate. Only 17.9 percent of teachers use ICT devices. This rate is the lowest among OECD countries.

Also, when we look at ICT utilization rate in school and out of school from 2009 to 2018, the rate in Japan has not changed through the years. Therefore, in the coronavirus pandemic, some school has not been ready for using ICT devices. So, how to overcome this situation?

In 2019, the Ministry of Education suggested "GIGA school concept." GIGA means Global and Innovation Gateway for All. It aims for one device for each student.

In this concept, they decided to invest 180 billion yen per year from 2018 to 2022 for ICT devices, Wi-Fi networks, and ICT technicians to schools and houses to ensure students' learning environment. So, students can use these devices even in poor families.

Also, in this concept, teachers will participate in trainings and seminars which provide ICT skills in the classroom. The educators of this training can be ICT technicians who are sent by the government, companies, and NPOs which provide ICT devices to schools.

Then, teachers will instruct their students on ICT skills and information ethics in the classroom. So, I believe the distribution of ICT devices and teaching ICT skills is feasible.

Next, my target audience. My target age groups are middle and high school students because they have capacity to handle ICT devices and understand information ethics.

Let's move on to the main content of this system. I propose a new educational system from three perspectives. First, how to conduct class. Second how to communicate with students, and last how to build a variety of networks.

My first suggestion; I suggest flipped learning to conduct classes, which has already been introduced in some California schools and had a positive impact on students’ performance. In flipped learning, students can listen to lectures at home, and share and discuss their ideas with friends in the classroom.

What are the benefits of Flipped learning? Students can learn at their own pace. Students study anytime and anywhere. It encourages active learning. In a traditional classroom, students mostly listen to teachers' lectures to get new knowledge and information. If they have ICT devices, they can get lots of information and knowledge by themselves. Therefore, in the classroom, they can have a much deeper discussion, and it leads to active learning.

Let’s move on to my second suggestion. I propose students' online support system to assist students and parents more and reduce teachers' stress. Finland has created WILMA, a web-based public information system, and made information transparent for students and their parents.

This is an example of how this system works. Teachers and parents can always check students' attendance, grades, homework and mental conditions.

How this system functions? First, teachers type students’ information and parents and students can see it on their devices. If they have concerns, they can contact or e-mail the teachers.

After that, teachers and counselors talk to students in person and try to solve problems which students have. And again, teachers will report the students’ condition.

What are the benefits of this system? First, teachers share students’ information with parents easily. Second, parents feel relieved to see children’s information anytime. Lastly, students are more likely to open up and be honest about their struggles with the help of ICT devices.

Let’s move on to my third suggestions. Lastly, I offer a program for building relationships between foreigners and students, and workers all over Japan and students.

The first suggestion is the international exchange using ICT devices. Many people cannot afford to go abroad, and in some situations such as coronavirus, we cannot go to other countries. In this program, Japanese schools and overseas schools can become partners and connect their students with ICT devices, and share each country's cultures and values.

After that, students can share and discuss what they learned in this program. It improves students’ English skills. It also broadens students’ perspectives.

The second suggestion is interacting with workers all over Japan. In this program, schools can access a huge database which introduces various kinds of jobs from Hokkaido to Okinawa, and students can see it on their devices and experience if they are interested in it.

If students click Glassworker, they can see job description, job introduction video and students can sign up for tour and trials.

As a result, it gives them a good chance to think about their future job and their interest. And if students think they want to work at some jobs thanks to this program, in the future, it might revitalize declining industry and communities. Therefore, it benefits both students and workers all over Japan. These are the programs I want to propose as a new educational system.

In conclusion, what does this system give students? It maximizes each students’ personality. It provides a comfortable learning environment. It broadens students’ perspectives and gives opportunities to think about their future.

Each child has a unique personality. Some children prefer traditional learning. But some prefer to stay home and take online classes. There is no best option here. The best option for a child is to be in an environment where they learn the best. We should provide a suitable education for each child to expand their possibility.

Let’s support the future children together. Education is necessary for everyone, it creates the foundation of a person’s life.

Thank you for listening.