What is Active Learning, the latest educational method for children's development?
What is Active Learning, the Latest Educational Method for Children's Development?
My name is Kidaoka, and I am in charge of marketing.
In this article, we will discuss "active learning," a next-generation educational method that is gaining attention today for nurturing children.
Right now, school education is undergoing a transformation!
Instead of passive learning, in which educators give one-way lessons and children just passively listen, educational methods that emphasize active learning, in which children actively try to learn on their own, are attracting attention.
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What is active learning?
2. Education Reform Finally Begins in Japan
3. What are the "changes in education" that are likely to occur in the future?
Summary
What is Active Learning?
Active learning, also called "independent, interactive and deep learning," is an educational method that is also used as a generic term for learning methods in which children are actively engaged in learning.
Simply put, it refers to "active and proactive teaching and learning," which is the exact opposite of traditional "passive teaching and learning.
Group work is often used as an example of this, with the aim of fostering children's abilities in thinking, ethics, communication skills, knowledge, and experience.
The active learning method has already been adopted in many educational institutions, including universities, kindergartens, elementary schools, junior high schools, and high schools.
Why is active learning necessary?
Environmental and structural changes such as the recent rapid globalization, declining birthrate, aging population, and other social issues are the main reasons.
There are two main reasons why active learning is attracting particular attention in these social circumstances.
(1) Information technology is advancing, and the technology and knowledge required is changing rapidly.
2. In order to keep up with the times, active learning skills are required.
Advances in information technology have dramatically increased the speed at which problems can be solved using the Internet.
Today's children can catch up on information they do not understand by looking it up on their smartphones.
This change in the information society has also led to a rapid transition in the knowledge and skills required.
Instead of "defensive learning," in which one learns after information comes down, "offensive learning," in which one identifies and learns necessary knowledge on one's own, is required.
Active learning," which can train and cultivate the ability to think and apply knowledge, is attracting attention as a learning method that can solve these problems.
*As Japan, the world, and society as a whole undergo rapid changes in the future, we may see a future that we have never imagined.
What will be required of us at such a time?
⇒The skills that are most required when things happen beyond our imagination are the ability to apply and adapt to cope with the situation.
Education Reform Finally Begins in Japan
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology defines education as follows
Education is to aim at the perfection of the human personality and to foster the development of citizens who are healthy in mind and body as builders of a peaceful nation and society (hereafter omitted).
(Reference: Article 1 of the Fundamental Law of Education, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology)
The 2020 education reform will involve three major reforms.
Introduction of new Courses of Study
The Courses of Study are curricula established by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
The Courses of Study are revised approximately every 10 years to reflect changes in the times, the circumstances surrounding children, and the needs of society, and textbooks and other materials are also changed in accordance with the revised Courses of Study.
The new curriculum guidelines are scheduled to be implemented on an annual basis starting with students who enter elementary school in the 2020 school year, junior high school in the 2021 school year, and high school in the 2022 school year.
English Language Education Reform
In addition to the enhancement of English education in elementary schools and making it a school subject, it has been announced that English classes in junior high and high schools will basically be conducted in English.
In addition, it has been announced that the "Common University Entrance Test" to be introduced in 2021, which will replace the National Center Test, will include private English tests such as the Eiken and GTEC to evaluate four skills: reading, listening, writing, and speaking, instead of the conventional two skills of reading and writing.
University Entrance Examination Reform
Changes to the structure of university entrance examinations have also been announced. The existing Center Test will be abolished and the Common University Entrance Test will be implemented.
In addition to measuring understanding of knowledge, the new test will include questions in the writing style to evaluate the ability to think, make judgments, and express oneself based on knowledge.
In English, in addition to the existing "reading and listening" skills, "speaking and writing" skills will also be tested. In addition, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) has requested that applicants also be required to add their motivation for applying and self-appeal to the evaluation of the general entrance examination (general selection).
How will educational reform change school teaching?
The educational reform will teach children to acquire the ability to "live" in cooperation with society.
Rather than simply memorizing what is written in textbooks, the main goal is to cultivate the ability to think, make judgments, and think for themselves, and to enhance their humanity.
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) is promoting the development of an environment that includes digital textbooks utilizing IT and online learning using e-learning.
If textbooks are digitized and tablets are introduced in the classroom, it will be possible to conduct easy-to-understand classes using audio and video.
What are the "changes in education" that are likely to occur in the future?
The most notable change in the field of education in the future will be a shift from the traditional memorization and rote learning style, as classes that emphasize "thinking" and "communicating" are expected to be evaluated more highly.
The intention is to nurture human resources who can play an active role in society by providing ample opportunities for communication while developing children's curiosity and individuality.
*What is particularly different from conventional educational methods is that it does not rely on self-learning, but rather seeks to develop a more interactive and cooperative environment.
How to start active learning using e-learning
We are a system development company headquartered in Tatsuno City, Hyogo Prefecture.
We provide LMS (Learning Management System), which is the backbone of e-learning, as well as smartphone applications and web system development.
With our QuizGenerator and learningBOX, you can realize active learning on the web, where children actively try to learn on their own.
Advantages in School Education
1. Students can study anytime, anywhere at their own convenience.
2. Students can study according to their own level of understanding and progress.
3. Easy to grasp the grade data and grade management
You can take as many preparatory, review, and re-study courses as you like.
QuizGenerator
QuizGenerator allows anyone to easily create and publish quizzes and questions on the Web. It is also free for commercial use, so it can be used for corporate training and examinations.
What is QuizGenerator, a learning tool to enhance educational effectiveness?
How to use QuizGenerator as a teaching tool for schools
learningBOX
learningBOX is a learning management system (LMS) that covers all functions such as creating teaching materials, creating questions and tests, grading, and managing grades, and allows you to create e-learning materials with a focus on price and ease of use.
The system also allows users to create their own original typing materials, as well as a web-based version of the "Red Sheet," a standard memorization tool, called the "Mushiken Note" (a "bug-eating notebook").
⇒LearningBOX makes it easy for anyone to start e-learning.
Conclusion
In this article, we introduced "active learning," which is now attracting much attention.
After the year 2020, when the new coronavirus has changed the way of life, the year 2021 is expected to see further educational reforms take off in the future.
The 2020s are said to be a turning point in the education industry, and school education based on the new Courses of Study will begin in 2020 for elementary schools, 2021 for junior high schools, and 2022 for senior high schools.
With QuizGenerator and learningBOX, you can easily create "learning tailored to your own objectives and goals" on the web in accordance with your usage scenario.
LearningBOX is also available as a free plan for an unlimited period of time.
If you are having trouble implementing e-learning, please take this opportunity to try our learningBOX.