Home > Policy > White Paper, Notice, Announcement > White Paper > JAPAMESE GOVERNMENT POLICIES IN EDUCATION,SCIENCE AND CULTURE 1990 > PART Chapter9 3

PART Recent Trends and Developments in Government Policies in Education, Science and Culture

Computers, videotex, high-definition television and other new information media have brought about a great potential for the development of new systems of learning, which will overcome spatio-temporal limitations, for the enrichment of individualized instruction, for the diversification of learning opportunities, and for the securing of more efficiency in learning.

Many schools have introduced computer-assisted instruction in various ways, and a number of pilot schools designated by the Ministry (29 schools in 1990) are conducting pilot studies on this kind of instruction. Since one of the crucial tasks is to promote the research, development and dissemination of high-quality software useful for classroom instruction, the Ministry commissions some prefecture boards of education to develop model software of high quality useful for school instruction.

Regarding the University of the Air, the Ministry has been considering how to extend the coverage area for the broadcast of the University programs. The National Institute of Multi-media Education has been engaged in the research and development of the content and methods of university programs using multi-media.

Further, the Ministry has been conducting studies regarding the use of respective new information media for educational purposes. It is also carrying out basic studies for the development of effective learning materials in which computers, video tape recorders and videodisks are used in an integral way.