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   Educational Reform for the 21st Century
Chapter6   CREATING A LIFELONG LEARNING SOCIETY
Section 2:   Informatization of Education (Responding to the IT Revolution)
1   Basic Concepts



(1) Recent Developments of the IT Revolution

Recent years have seen remarkable technological innovation in the IT area, with a rapid proliferation of IT-related machines on a worldwide scale and the sophistication of communication lines. Against this backdrop, the Government introduced in November 2000 the Fundamental Law on the Formation of an Advanced Information Network Society (IT Fundamental Law), which was then followed by the establishment of the e-Japan Strategy, e-Japan Priority Plan and e-Japan 2002 Program, all of which were active efforts to promote the IT revolution.


(2) Significance of the IT Revolution to Create a Lifelong Learning Society

With the advent of a knowledge-based society in the 21st century, there is a need to create a lifelong learning society that enables all individuals to freely choose a learning opportunity regardless of time or place, so that they can utilize their abilities to the fullest extent throughout their lives, which in turn helps the development of Japanese society.

  The Chair's Summary of the G8 Education Ministers' Meeting held in April 2000 pointed out that the rapid development of IT in recent years has broadened the possibilities for lifelong learning. In addition, it was pointed out that IT has the potential to provide broader learning opportunities for society as a whole and to help the profound understanding and creativity of children, which can enrich educational content and change the manner through which educational opportunities are provided.

  Against this backdrop, MEXT is planning a series of measures to promote the IT revolution in the educational area. The following are the basic concepts on which these measures are based.

{1} Utilization of IT as a Tool

When promoting the IT revolution, one needs to recognize that IT is a tool (measure) to be utilized prudently so as to make people's lives more efficient and rich. Learning through IT and teaching through IT are such examples.

  Also, IT can be used as a tool to overcome geographical and time constraints, which makes it possible to choose the learning resources and opportunities that best fit individual learning needs.

  However, with the promotion of the IT revolution, some have pointed out isolation of individuals, weakening of human relations, lack of natural and social experiences, proliferation of harmful information and moral hazards and regulation problems on networks as negative effects of the IT revolution. We need to promote the IT revolution with due consideration to the above negative aspects.

{2} Improvement of IT Literacy for All Citizens

In promoting the IT revolution, as stated as a basic philosophy in the IT Fundamental Law, we need to realize a society in which every citizen can enjoy the benefits of IT, and in order to do so, it is essential for each individual to acquire abilities to utilize IT (IT literacy) from the viewpoint of preventing and resolving the so-called Digital Divide.

  For this purpose, it is necessary to further develop the IT awareness and knowledge in compulsory education stages. Additionally, while so doing, special consideration must be given to physically or mentally challenged children.

  Also, consideration for the improvement of IT literacy must be paid to the adults and aged people who tend to have insufficient learning opportunities to acquire IT literacy.

{3} Development of Advanced IT Human Resources

In promoting the IT revolution, we need to improve the IT literacy of students through the further introduction of IT into higher education levels, utilize and develop the basic educational environment and strengthen the development of professional human resources who will be a driving force in the growth of an advanced information network society.


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