Enhancing Education Through ICT Support in Toshima Village, Tokyo

The International Edutainment Association (IEA), based in Chiyoda, Tokyo, has been awarded a contract by the Toshima Village Board of Education, which has a population of around 300. This collaboration aims to promote educational advancement through effective use of ICT and to bolster regional charm. As part of this initiative, IEA will provide support tailored to foster inquiry-based learning and enhance educational experiences unique to the island environment.

Background of the Initiative

In today's unpredictable VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) era, Japan's Ministry of Education advocates for an educational shift towards 'individualized optimal learning' and 'collaborative learning'. This approach encourages students to select their learning paths and engage in dialogue with peers and teachers during lessons. Since the launch of the GIGA School initiative in 2019, which led to the provision of personal tablet devices to 96% of students by 2022, the adoption of ICT in education has become widespread. However, there remains a crucial need to leverage ICT effectively in Japanese schools to realize a new model of education.

Beginning in the 2024 academic year, the Toshima Village will launch a comprehensive primary and secondary education school that accommodates approximately 30 students, striving for a complete nine-year educational experience. The village has been enhancing its ICT use and aims to further strengthen it in alignment with GIGA School Phase 2, under the vision of becoming an 'island where teachers thrive'. IEA's advanced expertise and support will help facilitate effective ICT usage, update teacher perspectives, and strengthen educational outreach from the island to the mainland.

Key Initiatives

1. Powering Up ICT Usage and Instructional Skills

- Effective use of iPads and applications
- After-school mini training sessions

2. Updating Educational Perspectives

- Workshops to upgrade the educational views necessary for optimal and collaborative learning
- Instructional advice within classrooms

3. Enhancing Local Appeal Through Events and Note Operations

- Planning and managing educational Note articles (https://toshimamura-edu.note.jp/)
- Implementing exchange education events both within the island and beyond

Upcoming Event: The Future of Education Conference in Toshima

- Date: September 6, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Event Details URL: Event
- Registration URL: Registration
- Capacity: 20 participants
- Venue: Toshima Village Community Center
- Access: Approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes by jet ferry from Takeshiba Passenger Terminal (8-minute walk from Hamamatsucho Station)
- Estimated Travel Costs: Approx. 20,000 yen round trip (Tokyo to Toshima)

Insights into Toshima Village

Toshima Village is located approximately 140 km south of central Tokyo, surrounded by sheer cliffs. Covering an area of only 4.04 square kilometers, it has one of the smallest populations and land areas in Japan, contributing to a unique, close-knit community with dense natural beauty. About 80% of the island is covered in camellia trees, producing a significant portion of the nation’s camellia oil. The village achieved its first COSMOS ORGANIC certification for its camellia oil in 2019, setting a precedent in the organic cosmetics field in Japan.

The Toshima Junior High School will launch as the first compulsory education school in the Izu and Ogasawara Islands in April 2024, offering an integrated nine-year curriculum with small class sizes. The current staff-to-student ratio is favorable, with 25 students and 24 staff, emphasizing personalized learning support. The school's educational goal is to nurture independence, as students must adapt to life in the mainland upon turning 15, offering challenges in terms of education and social skills.

Comments from Educational Leaders

Tetsuya Mimuro, Head of Toshima Village Board of Education

Toshima Village faces the challenges of being one of the smallest municipalities in Tokyo. However, we cultivate a unique educational environment that enables deep engagement with each child. With the necessary ICT support still lacking, this partnership marks an important step toward transforming our educational landscape.

Shunsuke Mori, Executive Director of the International Edutainment Association

We are honored to engage comprehensively with Toshima Village's education beyond just ICT utilization. Our aim is to ensure that students graduating from these small communities possess the skills and personality to lead rich lives. We will continue to collaborate closely with Mr. Mimuro to reach educational goals that celebrate local characteristics while harnessing ICT for better learning outcomes.

Looking Ahead

This collaboration is poised to set a new educational standard for local communities, demonstrating how effective partnerships can enhance learning experiences even in the remotest regions of Japan. It aligns educational reform with the realities of 21st-century learning, focusing on meaningful engagement and adaptation to global challenges, all while harnessing the unique strengths of tiny yet rich ecosystems like Toshima Village.