Dentsu Inc. and DENTSU SOKEN INC. establish the "Active Learning: What About This? Research Institute"― Systematizing methodologies for next-generation talent development and supporting educational institutions nationwide ―

Ahead of the full-scale introduction of active learning in school education, Dentsu Inc. has launched the "Active Learning: How About This? Research Institute" (URL: http://dii.dentsu.jp/activelearning/ ) within DENTSU SOKEN INC. on October 15th. It aims to systematize methodologies for developing next-generation talent, supporting educational institutions nationwide while also promoting solutions to social issues and business applications.

Active learning is a proactive learning method that differs from traditional teacher-centered lectures. It involves students themselves discovering problems, thinking through them, and sometimes discussing them to arrive at convincing answers or solutions. The Central Council for Education proposed introducing active learning into school education in its August 28, 2012 report titled "Toward a Qualitative Transformation of University Education for Building a New Future: Universities that Foster Lifelong Learning and Independent Thinking." The report states that introducing this educational and learning method, which equips students with versatile skills applicable beyond school, is urgently needed to cultivate the next generation of talent capable of forging a future in an era of uncertainty.

Against this backdrop, the company systematized a methodology applicable to active learning, leveraging expertise cultivated through planning methods in the communication field, in-house creative staff training programs, and social contribution activities like the "Advertising Elementary School." Moving forward, the company will collaborate with the NPO Genki Program Creation Committee to provide this methodology as an effective approach for active learning implementation across educational institutions nationwide. It also aims to provide feedback to government agencies, local authorities, and the business community to contribute to solving social issues and enhancing corporate activities. In fiscal year 2016, the company plans to advance research-based classes through partnerships with specialized education universities and at three research schools (elementary, junior high, and high school).

 

　The main activities provided by the "Active Learning: How About This? Research Institute" are as follows.

■ Main Activities of the"Active Learning: How About This?" Research Institute

＜For Educational Institutions＞

・Systematization and development of teaching materials for active learning methodologies

・Providing practical active learning challenges and conducting workshops

・Consultation services for educational institutions

＜For Corporations, Government Agencies, and Municipalities＞

・Support for developing active learning materials utilizing corporate resources

・Idea generation support for new business ventures and product development

・Employee training programs for cultivating creative talent

・Solving social issues through the application of active learning

・Support for regional revitalization starting with active learning

■ Overview of"Active Learning: How About This? Research Institute"

・Established: October 15, 2015

・Address: DENTSU SOKEN INC., Dentsu Inc., 1-8-1 Higashi-Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo

・Director: Hidetoshi Kurashige (Creative Director, DENTSU SOKEN INC.)

・Staff: 6 members

・Partnership: NPO Genki Program Creation Committee

Professor Masayuki Kobayashi, Tokyo Gakugei University Center for Practical Studies and Graduate School of Education

Former Specially Appointed Professor, Graduate School of Education, Tokyo Gakugei University: Masashi Okuma

■Former Specially Appointed Professor, Graduate School of Education, Tokyo Gakugei University

Comment by MasashiOkuma , CurrentVice Chairman of the NPO Genki Program Development Committee

With the upcoming revision of the Curriculum Guidelines, active learning will be formally introduced into school education. Furthermore, there is now a requirement to "develop versatile academic abilities" so that what is learned in school can be applied in higher education and employment.

While such classroom reforms have been proposed many times before, the teaching styles in junior high and high schools have not significantly changed. However, this educational reform extends to the methods of entrance examinations, making a shift in teaching methods unavoidable this time.

For nine years, I collaborated with Dentsu Inc. professionals to develop materials for the "Advertising Elementary School." The meeting methods employed by Dentsu Inc. during this period already embodied the know-how essential for active learning—methods entirely absent from the school and board of education meetings I had previously experienced. They overflowed with thinking skills that went beyond simply telling people to "just think," featured reliable ways to converge ideas, and even included techniques for deepening thought.

Through this research, we aim to provide schools with the know-how Dentsu Inc. has accumulated as a creative communications company, making it actually usable. I firmly believe this can become a skill for children to overcome diverse challenges and ultimately develop into versatile academic ability.

■Logo forthe "Active Learning: What About This? Research Institute"

Dentsu Inc. News Releasehttp://www.dentsu.co.jp/news/release/2015/1015-006268.html