Bringing the Future to Our Classrooms-CEC

CEC Outline and Description of Activities

Center for Educational Computing (CEC)The CEC was set up in order to promote the useof computers in school education in Japan,
particularly in elementary and middle schools, andis under the joint control of the Ministry of
Education, Science, Sports and Culture (MOE)and the Ministry of International Trade andIndustry (MITI ).
CEC conducts various surveys and research anddevelopment projects every year.
CEC's management includes members fromacademic circles, educational organizations, thecomputer and software industries, andrepresentatives from corporations and individuals
that support CEC's work.

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Outline of the E square (e2) ProjectIntroduction

1. Project Objectives
The E Square (e2) Project was designed to realize
the following three objectives:

This report summarizes the outcome,based on actual research, of the 100School Project and New 100-School
Project (1994-1998).

(1) Enable knowledge obtained through the 100School Networking Project to be shared withas many outside parties as possible, andensure that schools planning to access theInternet or improve their current network
environment are able to easily and effectively
use that resulting knowledge.
(2) Provide all project participants, fromnewcomers to advanced net users, with anopportunity to study together and expand theirknowledge in an environment promoting free
and open sharing of ideas.
(3) Verify the effectiveness of advanced
educational methods that incorporate
information technology & other suchtechnologies.
2. Project BackgroundIn 1994, when net usage was uncommon even inlarge companies, the 100-School Networking
Project introduced the Internet and otherinformation technologies to approximately 100
schools with orientation to those technologies.
This project enabled participating schools to
conduct joint research, thereby demonstrating theeffectiveness and potential of the Internet in thefield of education. Several other Internet-based
projects have been conducted. The Ministry of
Education, Science, Sports and Culture (MOE) is
undertaking research-and-development projects
involving net use at schools. Such private-sector
educational projects as the "Konet Plan" and"MediaKids" also employ the net, and there is yet

2Outline of the E square (e2) Project

another project currently underway that aims toprovide Internet access to approximately 40,000
public schools nationwide by the end of 2001.
Due to this project, the number of schools with
Internet access is expected to steadily increase.

(2) Advanced Information-Technology
Application Project:
Invite applications and case examinations ofschools planning project work that use
advanced technologies and methods on the
network. The results shall be published on the Esquare homepage and openly discussed.

3. Project Name
"E square (e2) Project"
Meaning behind the project name: The "E square"is a square in cyberspace that is designed for
education.
The capital "E" in this project name stands for two
adjectives -- "educational" and "electronic." We
adopted the word "square" to depict a plaza inthe heart of a town that enables participants toincrease their knowledge through communication.
Our project is open to all comers involved in
education. The project is intended to provide data
to net users at elementary, junior high, and seniorhigh schools around the country.
We adopted the abbreviation "e2" because of thetwo "e"'s -- "educational" and "electronic" -- andanother meaning of the word "square" to multiply
a number by itself.

5. Operation of the Project
The E square (e2) Project Promotion andCooperation Committee shall be established to
discuss the introduction of information-based
education to schools and plan cooperative
learning projects.
Sub-committees or research councils, consistingof academics and specialists, shall be set up inorder to make policies and plans and to evaluate
the results. The Information-technology Promotion
Agency and the Center for Educational Computing
shall be the secretariat of the E square project incooperation with the National Education Center.
They will work to ensure effective implementationof the projects. As needs arise, we will incorporate
into our projects achievements of other projects
designed for the promotion of information-based
education at schools. Our plan is to also advanceour projects in cooperation with universities,
educational institutions and network projects
already assisting schools. We will also launch
public-relations activities to expand our project
activities and make achievements known by the
public.

4. Project Outline
The E square (e2) Project consists of the following
two projects:(1) School Networking Support Project:
Provide opportunities for schools planning toaccess Internet and those already using theInternet to communicate and interact with eachother and to join corporate projects that use
Internet. The project is to also provide antechnological information service for
introduction and usage of Internet at schools.

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Contents
Bringing the Future to
Our Classrooms-CEC
CEC Outline and Description of Activities.........1
Introduction
Outline of the E square (e2) Project....................2
Overview of the Introduction of
IT in Education....................................................4
Challenges ..........................................................5
Bringing the Future to Our Classrooms-CEC
Contents .............................................................6
Why Use Computers and Internet? ...................7
What Can Be Learned by Using
Computers and Internet? ...................................8
What Should We Teach Using Computers
and Internet?.......................................................9
What Does an Education
Using Computers and Internet Aim At?...........10
What Has Been Attained ThroughComputers and Internet? .................................11
Who Will Use Computers and Internet? ..........12
What Will the Teacher's Role Become? ..........13
What Kinds of Troubles Do Teachers
Responsible for Information Technologies
Experience? ......................................................14
Where Will Computers and Internet
Be Used? ..........................................................15
When Will Computers and Internet
Be Used? ..........................................................17
How Should the Structure of EachRegion Be Organized? .....................................19
How Should Regional Development
Be Spread? .......................................................20
How to Take Part In Group Education.............21
How Should International Relations
Take Place? ......................................................22
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Why Use Computers and Internet?

Usage of information technologies are being
recommended in course of studies beginningthe 2000 fiscal year which is the beginning of
the transition period, and the plan to fully
equip schools with Internet is steadily
proceeding. So why is it necessary to
introduce computers and Internet in schools?

- Makes possible to interact with regional
residents by transmitting information fromschools- Makes possible to communicate withhouseholds by corresponding through E-mailand introducing course work through thehome-page- Enables communication with specialists
outside of school by asking questions throughE-mail, etc.

Preparing for an Information Society• While households, cities and companies
become more information oriented, it will
become essential to attain basic knowledge andskills in information technologies.
• The entire society is overflowing withinformation. Within such a society, theknowledge to collect, analyze and make use of
information and the knowledge to communicate
and express oneself is becoming a basic
characteristic for all to have.

Of course, traditional methods of class work
using textbooks, notebooks and experiments
are still important. Usage of computers andInternet can be thought as a tool that will
make these classes even more effective.

Using Computers & Internet as a Tool for
School Management• Effective in expanding the class range- Makes possible to collect and transmit a wide
range of information- Makes possible to view examples of subjects
that can not be achieved in reality• Effective in enhancing the desire to learn- Enables students to study in ways that meet
personal degrees of understanding andinterests- Enables students to collect information for
personal interests other than from textbooks• Effective in opening schools

7What Can Be Learned by Using
Computers and Internet?

Once schools are fully equipped with computers
and Internet, it is time to put these tools into use.
So what should we teach? And what will students
learn?

Information Application Skills• Learn how to collect, select and utilize
information from an abundant amount of
information• Learn cross-cultural communication throughinternational and regional interaction• Learn how to express and transmit collected
information

Basic Information Skills• Learn how to use computers and Internet• Learn the organization of computers andInternet

Specialized Knowledge• Learn basic skills related to information, such as
programming

Existing Curriculums• Computer simulation enables students todeepen their understanding of class contents• Usage of network information makes possible toexpand breadth of classes• Attained knowledge can be put into practicaluse or can be further strengthened throughnetwork communication

Societal Structure• Learn the importance of information technology
in society
Students are adaptable and if given opportunities,
they will begin to learn with computers. Students
will adjust quickly without teachers inflicting
pressure on them to begin using computers.

8What Should We Teach Using Computers
and Internet?

Computers and Internet are more frequently used
for subjects such as English, Science, Social
Studies and Technical Homemaking. It is also
apparent that these tools are being used inJapanese classes.
• Students can learn more than the content of theliterature, such as its history and geographicalbackground. Thus they are able to obtain abroader view through a single piece of literature.
• As information for various subjects on softwareand Internet increases, it is thought thatcomputer and Internet usage will advance into
other subjects such as Music and Physical
Education.

Many people answered in the Miscellaneous
category. This is most likely because many
subjects are cross overs that can not be
categorized within a single subject. Throughinternational relations, a language course would
be combined with a history course.
As the example given, it is thought that subjects
will be combined through usage of computers.

By collecting and analyzing information on
subjects such as this, it will become possible toattain a higher level of education through classwork.

Usage of Computers & Internet
in Various Subjects

9What Does an Education Using
Computers and Internet Aim At?

By now, you must have an idea of why computers
and Internet will be used and what we will teachusing these tools. So what are we aiming at for
the future?
The virtual agency, which is a trans-governmental
task force, reported 3 main points in December
1999.

The following ideas were shared by the 100
schools that are currently taking part in thisproject:• Establish a personal identity that is not lost
within the abundant amount of information• Develop the strength to exist within society• Educate students to respect etiquette, morals
and human rights and to distinguish and use
information as needed• Learn the way to learn, instead of learning theknowledge• Information technology is merely a tool;
importance is in actually attaining the knowledge
and method of learningChildren Will Change• Raise children who can think for themselves,listen to the ideas of others but can also form
their own ideas, and actively express theseideas.
Classes Will Change• Teachers are to actively utilize computers andInternet in classes, and this will help children
gain further interest and actively take part inclasses. This is due to change the basis of theentire Japanese education system.

True importance lies in the future when all schools
begin to use Internet. The goal is not to become
equipped with computers and Internet. It isreaching the time to genuinely start thinking about
how to improve the education system within suchan environment.

Schools Will Change• Advancing information technology into schools
will not only make improvements within
education systems. It will change the entire
existence of Japanese schools by activating theimprovement of school administration andrelations between schools, households andregions.

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What Has Been Attained ThroughComputers and Internet?

Actual results have shown that computers andInternet usage in schools have greatly changed
both teachers and students.
Let us take a look at the ideas that were sharedby the 100 schools currently taking part in thisproject.
Changed the Children
Progress was seen in children's interests,
concerns, and knowledge to transmit ideas and toutilize information.
Revolutionized the Consciousness of Teachers• As more changes were made, teachers'
viewpoints of education and classes evolved,
and new outlooks were gained as advisors.
• Their concept about education and the style ofclasses changed.
• Crossing the barrier of school, they were able
think about future education.
• Teachers began to learn themselves.
Activated the Schools
Staff members became cooperative, and thesharing of ideas was promoted.
Leadership Skills Were Improved
New information became easily obtained and wasused for researching.
Opened Up the Schools
Schools were linked to regions, thereby
developing relations with people of otheroccupations.

11Who Will Use Computers and Internet?

Computers and networks play an important role
for all people related to schools. What kind of view
point is needed for each standpoint?

Parents• Use computers and Internet to communicate
with schools, such as informing them aboutchildren's absence• Better understand the school situation byviewing school newspapers posted on thehome-page• An idea would be to develop a system whereparents become volunteers of society andanswer questions from students through Internet

Principles and Vice-Principals• Actively use computers and Internet incorresponding with school officials and otherschools• Take the lead to instruct and promote theschool to become information-oriented- An experiment was conducted where anotebook computer was provided to a school
principle in the U.K. Now with the reputation of
having "a principle that understands informationsociety and a vice president that is familiar withinformation tools," the school is succeeding
due to their incorporation of information
technology.
Teachers• Use computers and Internet as a tool that helps
in classes and special activities• Try to use computers in school administration• Try to use internet in corresponding with people
outside of schoolChildren• Use for studies within classes• Try to have them use during recess time(Will be necessary to consider other issues suchas mail management, etc.)12What Will the Teacher's Role Become?

Let us take a look at what teachers taking part in
the 100-School Networking Project felt that theirroles should become.
• Should play the part of a filter for students tocontact society directly• Be the coordinator of classes and the producerof group studies with other schools• Become an instructor that supports bothstudents and teachers• Become an advisor that has a broad perspective
but can also give precise advise• Become a supporter that can insure the timeand place for students to use computers andInternet freely• Play the role of a guide who can select, from theabundance of information, that which will be
useful on the education site

It is thought that the role of teachers will change
from the traditional view of them being a figure
who has great knowledge to share to students
through classes.

13What Kinds of Troubles Do Teachers Responsible
for Information Technologies Experience?

Not only is it important for teachers to be active inusing computers and Internet, but it is alsoessential that the surrounding environment is
supportive of its introduction.In the following, wehave organized the ideas shared by those taking
part in the 100-School Project.

It Is Essential to Hire an Advisor• Teachers are not technicians, and computers
are specialized products compared to TVs andvideos.
• Thus support from a specialist is an essential
factor. Even If an advisor can not be hired foreach school, the burden of teachers is lessened
if an advisor is insured for each school district.

It Is Important That the Director Understands
Information Technology• It is mistaken that preparation for classes andactivities to set-up network environments ismerely out of personal interest.
• It is difficult to balance information advancement
and class/school administration.

A Place to Meet and a Person to Coordinate
Such Meetings is Necessary• In order to conduct group studies andinternational relations, schools will need support
from educational organizations (such as CEC),
educational centers , universities and volunteers.

A Guideline Is Essential• It is necessary to develop a guideline for theprotection of privacy, rather than leaving thematter to teachers that conduct the classes.
• If a guideline is not developed, it will become theteacher's responsibility to make decisions every
time a problem occurs. This imposes a burden
on teachers.

CEC has offered popularization activities,
production of various guidebooks and meeting
places.
CEC would appreciate any kind of ideas oropinions on how to be of better support.
Net@cec.or.jp

Support Is Needed in Obtaining a Budget• The process of obtaining a budget is madeeasier if supported by specialists.

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Where Will Computers and Internet
Be Used?

Locations for setting up computers do not have to
be limited to computer rooms. Let us take a lookat some examples of set-up locations at various
schools.
Usage of computers in the computer room ismost common. However, we plan to equip allclass rooms other than the computer room withcomputers and make Internet available in theserooms by the year 2005.
Beginning the 2000 academic year, we will begin
to organize the LAN system, which connects allcomputers within a school.

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Where Will Computers and Internet
Be Used?

If the number of computers increase, the set-up
locations for these computers will also increase.
So what can be done at each of these locations?

Each Household• Homework and research projects, notification ofabsence, transmission of school newspaper

Computer Room (1 Unit Per Person)• Education that can be conducted in a group on
basic operations

Outdoors (Such as Cities & Mountains)• Input illustrated books, data and maps to use as
an information terminal during field trips• On-the-spot reporting from school excursion
sites

Computer Room (1 Unit Per Group)• Group projects, such as regional studies andgroup production work
Various Classrooms• E-mail usage, research for classes
Teacher's Room• Correspondence with each household andschool administration
Health Center• Management of individual health anddrugs/medicine
Library• Management of the book collection andcollection of information using the network•Collection of information by children
Free Space (Such as Hallways)• View E-mail and homepages during recess andafter school hours

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When Will Computers and Internet
Be Used?

Computers not only have to be used duringclasses, but they can be used in various othersituations.
During Classes• Necessary to distinguish usage between
computer, group study and other classes
according to the situation ( Please see page 13 )When Are Computers and Internet Used?
Class Preparations• Not only use for computer class preparation, but
can also use to create teaching materials- It will be possible to get information on therelationship between historical people and theschool region
Open Hours• Use computers and Internet freely, such as forviewing homepages and checking E-mailSpecial and Extracurricular Activities• Use for research and club activities- Can be used by people other computer clubmembers (ie: soccer team members who wantto learn formation and game strategies)• Use for sports festivals and cultural festivals
Field Trips and School Excursions• By using personal digital assistant (PDA) anddigital cameras, broaden the breadth of usage

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When Will Computers and Internet
Be Used?

Other than during classes, we found thatcomputers were most frequently used during
recess and after school hours.

We recommend considering ways that students
can use computers and Internet during lunch andafter school hours.

18How Should the Structure of Each Region
Be Organized?

The 100-School Project has been supportive ofregional programs in various forms. Considering
the burden of teachers, it is thought that theregional center type will be the most effective
method from now on.

School Intercommunication Type• With the school (teaching professionals) as it's
core, manage the educational network- Advantage
It is possible to spread the knowledge ofadvanced schools to neighboring schools,
thereby leading to future development of aregional network.
- Task for Improvement
There is a possibility that burden will be placedon a specific teacher.
Also if the teacher standing at the core has achange in position, it will be difficult to maintain
developed relations.

Type A Educational Center (Server Set-Up
Within the Center)• With the educational center as it's core, manage
the educational network- Advantage
It will be possible to concentrate on
improvement of server resources and problem
solving. At the same time, more activities cantake place in training and sharing experiences.
- Task for Improvement
If the server somehow becomes handicapped,
it will interrupt all schools connected to the
network.
If the system is not structured in a way thatmeets the demand of schools, it will cause a
top-down situation.

Group Relations Type• With the educational research group (including
volunteers) as it's core, manage the educational
network- Advantage
Active relations between schools can be
anticipated due to vigorous volunteer activities- Task for Improvement
Regional volunteers will be the center, but not
all neighboring schools will participate.Thus itis necessary to gain cooperation fromorganizations such as educational committees.

Type B Educational Center (Server Set-Up
Within each School)• The educational center supports each school's
network management- Advantage
Homepages and mail addresses can be easily
managed because the server is located within
the school.
Less burden is placed on the school manager
because they are given support from theserver.
- Task for Improvement
It is difficult to insure a employee to be placedat the educational center.

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How Should Regional Development
Be Spread?

In order to advance the regional center type, it isnecessary to station an information advancement
coordinator to support schools within the region.
The idea to station a coordinator has been
proposed at a meeting enforced by the Ministry of
Education (Meeting of Cooperative Investigation
and Research), where the advancement of
information education within elementary, middle
and high schools is discussed.

We suggest having 1 coordinator per 50 schools.
The maximum that a teacher from each school
can give regional support is 10 schools.

20How to Take Part In Group Education.

Due to Internet usage, a method of studying thatcrosses the barrier of schools is making an
entrance.

Questions & Research• About surroundings
Ask parents of the school simple question about
the school's surroundings• Nationwide inquiry mailSolve questions by sending inquiry mail tovolunteers and specialists• Newspaper database
Find necessary information from the newspaper
database and learn the way to use information

Relations Between Various Schools• Exchange of information between regions
By exchanging information about each region's
culture and weather, children can learn about
cultural and regional differences
Nationwide Research• Nationwide market research
Learn about price ranges by comparing theprice of the same product in different parts of
the nation• Acid rain & NO x research
Through researching density of PH and NO x
included in acid rain, think about environmental
issues• A single tree
By observing a single tree over a period of time,
study the flow of nature• Nationwide germination map
After planting a seed at the same time indifferent regions of Japan, compare conditionsof growth and learn about plants and weather• Group observation of weather
Study about the weather in different parts of thenation• Live camera
Compare how clouds drift by setting anobservation camera in different regions

In order to advance these plans, it is important tohave a system where the coordinator can operate
in an effect manner.
The E square in constantly supporting group study
projects with numerous themes. We recommendthat everyone takes part in these projects.

21How Should International Relations
Take Place?

Through international relations, the reexaminationof one's own country and the broadening of one's
interest in English can take place
The following are changes that teachers taking
place in the 100-School Project began to see inchildren:

There are tasks for projects other than translation.
• A system where continuous communication
takes place after students are first introduced isnecessary.
• Setting a goal for students to continuecommunication is important.
• A meeting place is needed for to meet otherschools involved in international relations.
• Advance preparation was necessary for set-up
with exchange schools. This was a difficult
procedure.
• A coordinator is needed to support exchange
projects.
• It is difficult to adjust the schedule during longvacations and periods before the new semester.
• The time difference between countries makes it
difficult to communicate during normal school
hours.
• There is a limit to written communication.
Attachment of videos could be effective.
• It is a good idea to plan visits, so that students
can actually meet each other and communicate.

• Began to acknowledge their own country;
instead of English being a subject to memorize,
became a language to know and communicate
with others• Began to be more active in learning English andfelt more familiarized with people of othercountries• Showed an attitude of listening to different ideasof others• Acknowledged that there are various methods ofcommunication• Interest towards other countries increased andrealized information-oriented society
A translation system to encourage students tocommunicate with other countries was developed.
This was effective in comparing the English andJapanese languages.

CEC has produced a International Relations
Guidebook. Please take a look at it on the Esquare homepage.
( http://www.cec.or.jp/e-cec/CEC_Esquare.html )• There are still some tasks for improvement- Difficult to translate when the cultural
background is not known- Difficult to translate in a way that is understoodby children- Difficult to hire a translator

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Center for Educational Computing
Address:
Terayama Pacific Building,1-23-11, Toranomon,
Minato-ku,Tokyo,105-0001 Japan
Tel :+81-3-3593-1801 through 1805
Fax:+81-3-3593-1806

http://www.cec.or.jp/
E-mail: cec@cec.or.jp

Editorial Design : Hirano & Associates, Inc.
Printed in Japan 2000.5-300HD