#Japan #Tokyo #Unity #BenQ #Shingakusha

A New Era in Early Childhood Education

In a move to revolutionize early childhood education, three companies—BenQ Corporation, Shingakusha Co., Ltd., and Unity Co., Ltd.—have united their strengths to launch innovative ICT solutions aimed at kindergartens and nursery schools. Their joint project introduces a unique educational web content platform called "Shingakusha x Asonde Manabu!" that works seamlessly with BenQ's interactive whiteboard, the BenQ Board. This initiative marks a significant step forward in an area that has traditionally lagged in digital integration.

Background and Motive for Collaboration

The push for ICT in education has gained momentum with initiatives like the GIGA School Concept, primarily focusing on elementary and secondary education. However, the early childhood sector has struggled to adapt ICT in a manner that aligns with children's developmental stages. Families, educators, and policymakers alike are actively seeking new avenues to enhance educational experiences for young learners. This coalition between BenQ, Shingakusha, and Unity aims to tap into their diversified expertise to provide added value in early childhood education, navigating towards a digital learning environment that encourages exploration and creativity.

BenQ has a notable history in providing educational equipment, particularly the BenQ Board, which is designed for educational institutions. The company sees potential for expanding the use of ICT tailored specifically for young children. Meanwhile, Shingakusha brings decades of experience in traditional paper educational materials, now venturing into the digital realm. On the other hand, Unity excels in developing engaging educational applications for early learners and has a keen understanding of the needs within educational settings. By integrating their strengths in hardware development, pedagogical strategies, and application innovation, this partnership seeks to foster richer learning opportunities and set a new benchmark in early childhood education.

The Shingakusha x Asonde Manabu! Platform

The collaborative web content of "Shingakusha x Asonde Manabu!" is a cutting-edge educational tool crafted by Unity, incorporating Shingakusha's vast content library. The platform features age-appropriate categories targeting preschoolers of different age groups: "Age 4 (young children)", "Age 5 (middle children)", and "Age 6 (older children)". Additionally, an "English" category allows children to engage with language learning in a fun and intuitive manner. The platform’s standout feature is its user-friendly interface, designed to be easily navigable for children, making learning feel like play; activities include engaging games such as counting challenges and puzzles, providing an excellent introductory experience to digital learning.

The Compatibility and Advantages of BenQ Board

The platform's design works harmoniously with BenQ's interactive whiteboard, the BenQ Board. This device supports touch interactions and offers a large screen conducive for group activities where multiple children can participate simultaneously. The built-in functionalities, including screen annotations, timers, and screen capture, enhance interactivity during learning sessions. Furthermore, BenQ emphasizes health and safety with its ClassroomCare technology, which features an antibacterial screen, blue light reduction, and air quality sensors to ensure a healthy learning environment.

Voices of the Companies Involved

Masashi Kikuchi, President, BenQ Japan: "The ICT transformation of early childhood education is just beginning. Through digital experiences that weave learning into play, we aim to nurture children's curiosity and desire to explore."

Koji Shionki, Executive Officer, Shingakusha: "Our mission is to provide new value for early childhood education through digital means, allowing them to see, feel, and experience learning in ways we couldn't with paper."

Yoshiyuki Yamashita, CEO, Unity: "We are excited to leverage our development expertise to impact the early childhood sector. We will continue evolving this content by listening to feedback from educators on the ground."

About the Companies

BenQ

Established in 1984, BenQ Corporation focuses on introducing enjoyment and quality into life through innovative technology and lifestyle products. The company’s commitment spans four key sectors—lifestyle, business, healthcare, and education—aiming to enhance customer experiences with valuable offerings.

Shingakusha

Specializing in educational materials for ages ranging from preschool to grade 9, Shingakusha publishes over 3,000 unique learning products, including workbooks, tests, and drill books, accessible through a network of associated stores nationwide.

Unity

Unity is driven by the mission to make everyone smile, fostering happiness among customers, employees, and society as a whole. The company develops educational applications designed to cultivate intellectual abilities across diverse learning environments.

For further information, visit their official pages: BenQ and Shingakusha.

Customers can reach BenQ Technical Support at 0570-015-533, Monday to Friday from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM.