DNP and Keio Research Institute at SFC Jointly Research Distance Learning System with function Allowing Teachers to Conduct Personal Instruction

Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. (DNP) and the Platform Design Laboratory ofthe Keio Research Institute at SFC (Shonan Fujisawa Campus), part of Keio Universitylocated in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, have reached an agreement regarding jointresearch into developing a distance learning. DNP aims to capitalize on theresults of this joint research to enter the remote system-driven education business.

Distance learning based teaching was legalized in April 2015, and since thensuch activities have seen advances at high schools throughout Japan. Althoughgreat importance is placed upon this approach in Japanese elementary and juniorhigh schools, there are limitations to this type of teaching format, includingthe difficulty in implementing progress checking based on personal instructionfor each pupil or student, As a result, schools have shown some hesitation inadopting distance learning, even while expressing interest in such systems.

The Platform Design Laboratory at the Keio Research Institute at SFC hasaccumulated distance learning-based operational know how over an extended periodof time, and has developed a track record in supervising the creation of distancelearning systems at high schools and local authorities throughout Japan. Inparticular, by being able to provide for progress checking based on personalinstruction for each student, which is a challenge at present, the new systemis deemed important for the wider dissemination of such systems going forward.Keio Research Institute at SFC has entered into a joint research alliance withDNP, which maintains the technology needed to acquire and manage data retrievedduring the pupil learning process by employing a variety of devices, includingtablet terminals and paper.

Based on the results of this joint research, DNP will develop a system torealize real time communication between individual pupils and remotely locatedteachers during group lessons, facilitating improved satisfaction for both parties.Apart from proposing such systems to education business operators, DNP alsoaims to offer distance learning opportunities in line with those new teachingformats likely to emerge following the introduction of university entrance examinationreforms. With the collaboration between high schools and universities increasing,DNP expects high level needs for such distance learning especially from highschools that have already commenced it as a regular class. At the same time,DNP plans to offer the new system to other public and private educational institutionsas well, including elementary and middle schools, universities, and privateprep schools.

[Background]

In April 2015, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology,partially revised the Enforcement Regulations for the School Education Law,as a measure against the lack of teachers on remote islands and in mountainousareas of Japan, and with the objective of providing new learning opportunities.As a result, it has become possible to take courses at locations other thanthe classroom through using a variety of media in a sophisticated manner atall high schools throughout Japan, and distance learning has been certifiedas a formal teaching technique for granting credits required for graduation.

However, even while some high schools fulfill the necessary conditions forconducting distance learning, satisfaction levels among pupils remain around60% - 70% compared to face-to-face classes, according to findings by Keio ResearchInstitute at SFC Platform Design Laboratory. Local authorities and school developersare also faced with severe financial conditions, and it is not possible to adopthighly priced systems. Hence, the function that facilitates progress checkingthrough appropriate personal instructions, where the teacher grasps the progressand comprehension level of each individual student, is one of the functionsof distance learning system that should be emphasized alongside voice-deliveredteaching techniques.

[System Summary]

With usual distance learning systems, the teacher is capable of merely gainingan overview of the class. As a result, it is not possible to perform personalinstruction, or to control the pace of the class in line with the progress ofeach individual pupil. The newly developed system uses ICT devices for pupils,such as tablet terminals and digital pens, the internet, along with the writtenand spoken words and texts. In this manner, it is possible to perform real timethree-way communication among pupils, the remotely located teacher and the teacherin the classroom, and provide an immersive sensation that equates to on-sitepersonal instruction.  

Major functions:

• Monitoring of the learning progress status of each pupil.
• Allowing for teachers to answer pupils' questions when they raise theirhands.
• Communicating with classroom based teachers.

Using this system makes it possible for teachers to offer verbal advice topupils having difficulties in their classwork, or to review the pace of theclass in line with the progress of individual pupils in a flexible manner. Also,as it is possible to correct written work during class time, this helps to reducethe time it takes to return corrected or marked work to the pupil.

It is also possible to operate the system using multiple teachers. This makesit possible to provide personal instruction and appraisals that are superiorto those currently offered, including more detailed instruction and faster correctionor marking.

Joint research by the partners will show the way forward to optimal equipmentand system configurations offering the functions necessary to respond to a varietyof network environments at schools.

[User Benefits]

Severe finances at local authorities have produced a tendency to reducingteacher numbers. As a result, it is not possible to deploy sufficient teachingstaff in sparsely populated areas, such as isolated islands and mountainousareas, and more than 500 schools are forced to close each year. By using thisnewly developed system it will be possible to provide classes in subjects mannedby insufficient teaching staff, leading to hopes that further school closurescan be prevented.

It is also true that there are not enough teachers capable of offering instructionin new subjects, such as computer programing and discussion-based classes thatare expected to assume increasing importance in line with the recent Japan'snational policy. Using the new system offers more schools the opportunity toprovide classes leading to the development of new skills.

[Looking Ahead]

With the cooperation of participating high schools and educational organizationsthroughout Japan, supervising distance learning systems Keio Research Instituteat SFC Platform Design Laboratory has commenced experimental studies in thereal time sharing of the written contents of pupil classwork.

The research partners will perform experiments at multiple participatingschools for a period of six-months, and based on the resultant assessments willconstruct a teaching system capable of being linked to various distance conferencesystems.

DNP will also draw up a parallel business model, and make proposals to educationalbusiness operators and end users, aiming to launch a distance learning businessin the autumn of 2016.

Our concrete business vision, sees DNP aiming to provide distance learning,by offering our core systems to business operators already offering distancelearning educational services, and through cooperation with educational businessoperators in an independent manner.

* Product prices, specification and service contents mentioned in this newsrelease are current as of the date of publication. They may be changed at anytime without notice.