Developing Inquiry-Based Training for Non-AI Using Talent in Teams

In the modern corporate landscape, where generative AI has permeated various sectors, the need for authentic engagement and self-driven thought processes is becoming increasingly critical. Kuni-Biz, based in Kunitachi, Tokyo, has empowered SoranoMado Project Co., Ltd., led by Ritsu Aramaki, to create a groundbreaking training program aimed at young professionals and new recruits. This program, titled PREBO for Business, leverages the use of tactile presentation boards to foster a hands-on learning environment.

The Significance of Physical Engagement

The rapid evolution of generative AI has undeniably increased efficiency in document and presentation creation. However, this convenience comes at a cost; the genuine understanding and personal accountability of individuals are gradually eroding. Employees often express concerns such as, "While AI can generate materials, I struggle to explain them in my own words," indicating a reliance on technology that stifles critical thinking.

PREBO for Business addresses this gap by encouraging participants to physically engage with the process of writing, organizing, and presenting their thoughts using tangible presentation boards, rather than digital tools. Through this tactile experience, individuals develop a sense of ownership and responsibility for their ideas while also enhancing their ability to think critically and innovatively.

Bridging Educational Insights to Corporate Training

The presentation boards utilized in this program are derived from a research project funded by Japan's Ministry of Education, aimed at enhancing inquiry-based learning. By applying a structured process—from identifying challenges to gathering and analyzing information and collaborating with peers—this program cultivates the essential skills required to navigate today's fast-paced society, fostering self-directed learning, critical thinking, and proactive behavior.

Promoting Accountability and Teamwork

As generative AI becomes a ubiquitous tool in the workforce, the self-efficacy and accountability of its users are more crucial than ever. Unfortunately, some individuals may feel insecure without the assistance of AI. Instead of being viewed as a supplemental tool, AI should serve as a horse that needs to be skillfully ridden, not the overseer of one's destination. This training emphasizes the importance of conceptualizing and creating solutions independently prior to relying on AI. Participants work in teams to develop mock project proposals, presenting their ideas not via slides, but through their own physical presentation boards.

This method compels participants to critically evaluate their thinking process while managing the constraints of a finite physical space, contrasting sharply with traditional digital slides. The physicality allows for greater variability in layout and decor, enabling dynamic collaboration among team members. The responsibilities involved in crafting their proposals contribute significantly to their learning experience, reinforcing the importance of personal accountability while navigating the generative AI era.

How PREBO for Business Stands Out

Traditional Presentation Training often includes:

- Primarily slide-based presentations
- Individual work, leading to limited perspectives
- Easy modifications resulting in shallow experimentation
- Visual embellishments that can obscure weak content

In contrast, PREBO for Business focuses on:

- Strengthening the actual thought processes involved
- Collaborative, open work processes that enhance dialogue
- Personal accountability for every decision made due to physical limitations
- Developing the ability to conceptualize and synthesize information visually in a finite space

The Program Features

Target Audience: Corporate training for new recruits to mid-level employees, educational institutions, and local government training sessions
Format: Customizable sessions of 3-hour blocks for 5 sessions, adaptable to weekly or intensive formats
Cost: Contact for details

Key Elements of the Program:

1. Visualizing Thought Processes: Participants learn to articulate their questions, investigate, process information, and summarize their insights on presentation boards, enabling them to identify logical weaknesses and biases visually.
2. Kinesthetic Learning and Team Building: By physically engaging with the presentation boards, participants gain hands-on experience, transitioning from the feeling of having merely created something to genuinely building it themselves, thus fostering team-building skills through collaboration.
3. Enhancing Proposal Power through Visual Design: The boards' tactile nature encourages free expression and creativity, helping to refine visual storytelling through priorities, layouts, and color schemes, thereby delivering warmth and conviction that digital tools often lack.

Next Steps for Implementation

Getting started with PREBO for Business is straightforward and can be arranged within two weeks following initial discussions. This includes:
1. Online Consultation (Free): Discussing your organization's challenges and objectives.
2. Customized Program Development: Crafting a proposal tailored to your organization's needs.
3. Preparation and Schedule Agreements: Finalizing content and timelines.
4. Program Delivery: Conducting training sessions based on the selected format.

The workshop's main components involve icebreakers, literature review, proposal development, presentations, and feedback sessions. Follow-ups include comprehensive reports and participant surveys. Customization is available based on client needs to ensure effectiveness.

Testimonials from Users

One participant noted, "Working hands-on allowed me to lead as a team manager effectively. The open nature of the tasks made it easy to track contributions and engage in ongoing dialogue with teammates, facilitating a collaborative refinement of our ideas."

About the Developer

Ritsu Oshio (RITZ OSHIO), PhD in Medicine, is a science communicator and graphic designer. As the representative director of SoranoMado Project Co., Ltd., and a special associate professor at Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Dr. Oshio focuses on innovating educational designs that cultivate self-reliant individuals capable of critical thinking and expression.

For further information about PREBO for Business, visit SoranoMado Project.