#Japan #education reform #Chiyoda #Digital Hollywood #N-E.X.T. High School

Overview of Digital Hollywood's New Service

Digital Hollywood, a renowned organization in Japan dedicated to cultivating IT and digital content professionals, has officially launched a new comprehensive support service for high school education. This initiative aligns with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)'s innovative N-E.X.T. High School concept and aims to craft a next-generation educational model.

The newly offered service evolves traditional educational support, merging exploratory learning with IT education. Its primary goals include:

1. Development of Advanced Essential Workers: Fostering personnel capable of implementation in the field.
2. Cultivation of Interdisciplinary Talent: Encouraging students to ask pertinent questions and find solutions, preparing them for higher education.
3. Establishing Robust Educational Infrastructure: Supporting diverse modes of learning.
4. Creating Sustainable Support Models: Empowering teachers and communities to sustain educational initiatives independently.

By integrating Digital Hollywood's extensive experience in digital talent development with Benesse Corporation's know-how in high school educational support, the service encompasses comprehensive assistance from curriculum development and teacher training to the visualization and dissemination of educational outcomes. This fosters ongoing educational reform within schools and local educational boards.

Transition from DX High School to N-E.X.T. High School Concept

In the context of high school education reform, there has been a clear demand for enhancing students' competencies and enriching investigative learning. MEXT’s DX High School project has catalyzed improvements in ICT access and information education.

Nevertheless, challenges persist, namely:

• - A disconnection between information education and exploratory activities.
• - A lack of alignment between learning outcomes and real-world problem-solving.
• - An over-reliance on individual teachers, which complicates sustainable implementation.

Against this backdrop, the N-E.X.T. High School project emphasizes the nurturing of talent capable of value creation in local and industry contexts, as well as the dissemination of educational practices across regions.

Systemic Challenges in Talent Development

Insights from progressive practices in schools nationwide reveal several systemic issues. Students often struggle to actively confront regional and social challenges due to a disconnect between data utilization, hypothesis testing, implementation processes, and information technology. Consequently, the knowledge and skills learned do not translate effectively into actionable solutions. Furthermore, the reliance on individual teachers for lesson design leads to inconsistencies and hampers the establishment of a sustainable implementation framework, resulting in limited dissemination of achievements.

Features of the New Service

In response to these challenges, Digital Hollywood proposes a comprehensive support model that exceeds merely providing learning materials. This model aligns with the three classifications of the N-E.X.T. High School concept:

1. Societal Implementation Through Inquiry and Information: Integrating data science, programming, and digital content creation into a holistic learning process that connects learning directly with societal problem-solving.
2. Building Non-Dependent Operational Models: Offering integrated resources such as teaching materials, instructional plans, and training, enabling schools to operate sustainably without over-reliance on individual educators.
3. Comprehensive Support for School Boards and Communities: Assisting schools from planning through implementation, improvement, and dissemination of results while facilitating broad regional educational models.

These initiatives are grounded in insights accumulated through partnerships with over 200 schools and 11 local governments across Japan.

Commitments Moving Forward

Through this service, Digital Hollywood aims to collaborate with municipalities and high schools to establish pilot programs for best practices, converting the lessons learned into educational materials and models for wider distribution across prefectures. The enterprise additionally focuses on teacher training and developing supportive structures to ensure sustainable, self-driven educational models. Engaging with regional and industrial stakeholders, Digital Hollywood is committed to creating viable pathways for developing problem-solving talents adept at navigating today’s complex challenges.

Contact Information for Educational Boards and High Schools

For inquiries regarding initiatives related to the N-E.X.T. High School concept, please reach out to:
Digital Hollywood Inc.
Masakazu Mitsuzawa, Michio Hosono
[email protected]
Special Site: https://academy.dhw.co.jp/highschool/local-government.html

About Digital Hollywood Inc.

Founded in October 1994, Digital Hollywood began its journey with the opening of Japan's first practical industry-academia cooperative creative training school. Today, it operates specialized schools in Tokyo and Osaka, along with various learning studios and online courses. Notably, the organization has produced over 100,000 graduates. Also, in 2025, it will join the Benesse Corporation Group, further solidifying its role in nurturing human resources for the digital content industry.