[Satoshi Hirai to Speak] Connecting Device Use to Thinking: Hybrid Digital-Analog Education with Yokkaichi City Board of Education

Nihon Cosmotopia Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Osaka City, Osaka; President: Yukihiro Onoue; hereinafter 'Nihon Cosmotopia'), which specializes in planning, producing, and selling ICT teaching material systems for cram schools, schools, and lifelong learning classrooms under the pillars of 'independent learning' and 'lifelong learning,' will hold a free online seminar titled 'Fostering Logical Thinking through Digital-Analog Differentiation: Insights from Yokkaichi City Board of Education' on Thursday, June 25, 2026. The seminar will feature Satoshi Hirai, who serves as an advisor for the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's School DX Strategy, and Hirota Sato from the Yokkaichi City Board of Education. With the spread of one-device-per-student programs and various AI applications, there is a renewed focus on developing 'reading comprehension' and 'logical thinking' skills. The event will explore how children can learn to interpret information, think independently, and make judgments, drawing on the advanced initiatives of leading municipalities. For seminar registration, please visit the link below. Background and Purpose of the Event Currently, as schools increasingly adopt one-device-per-student and various AI tools, the challenge has shifted to using these devices to achieve 'deep learning.' In a society where generative AI is becoming commonplace, the ability to correctly interpret information ('reading comprehension') and logical thinking are becoming more important as foundational skills for learning. This seminar will consider what educational settings can do to foster the 'reading comprehension' and 'logical thinking' skills that children need in a rapidly changing era, and how to deepen their thinking. To cultivate the reading comprehension and logical thinking skills that children need, it is important to consider optimal use that leverages the strengths of both digital and analog methods. Together with participants, we will explore the future of learning by examining methods for using digital and analog tools to develop logical thinking. The Yokkaichi City Board of Education has been promoting advanced initiatives under the 'New Education Program' since fiscal 2020, based on 'six pillars' that nurture language skills and information literacy. This seminar will delve into the 'digital-analog differentiation' required in the coming era, featuring practical presentations from the city alongside Satoshi Hirai, a leading figure in educational DX. [Program] - Introduction of Yokkaichi City Board of Education's initiatives - Lecture by Satoshi Hirai - Cross-talk between Hirai and the case presenter *The program is subject to change. Recommended for: - School boards and school personnel - Those who have introduced devices but face challenges in using them to deepen thinking - Those seeking methods to cultivate reading comprehension and logical thinking skills [Online Seminar Overview] Fostering Logical Thinking through Digital-Analog Differentiation: Insights from Yokkaichi City Board of Education Date and Time: Thursday, June 25, 2026, 16:00-17:00 Method: Online (Zoom webinar format) Fee: Free Target Audience: School personnel and board of education representatives (corporate participation not allowed) Practice Presentation: Hirota Sato, Yokkaichi City Board of Education Lecturer: Satoshi Hirai, Representative, Mirai Education Design LLC Details and Registration: Please register from the following page. URL: https://gakukura.cosmotopia.co.jp/news/20260625/ [Practice Presenter Profile] Hirota Sato, Yokkaichi City Board of Education After serving as a mathematics teacher, he has been with the Yokkaichi City Board of Education Secretariat for 9 years. For 6 years as a supervisor in the Guidance Section, he focused on promoting the 'New Education Program (Logical Thinking).' Currently, as the Deputy Chief of the Policy Group in the General Affairs Section, he is involved in drafting the next Yokkaichi City School Education Vision. Hirota Sato, Yokkaichi City Board of Education Our city has formulated the 5th Yokkaichi City School Education Vision, which will start in fiscal 2027. In this vision, it is important to continue developing the initiatives we have valued so far. In particular, reading comprehension, expression skills, and logical thinking are the foundation of children's learning. In the coming era where technologies such as generative AI are spreading, the ability to accurately understand information and clearly communicate one's thoughts will be required more than ever. Therefore, the cultivation of these qualities and abilities is an indispensable part of the next vision. [Lecturer Profile] Satoshi Hirai, Representative, Mirai Education Design LLC Satoshi Hirai Main roles: Representative of Mirai Education Design LLC, Special Researcher at the Institute for Information and Communications Policy (IICP) and Head of the Education Innovation Lab. Advisor for the Ministry of Education's School DX Strategy, Regional Informatization Advisor for the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Digital Promotion Committee Member for the Digital Agency, and educational DX advisor for multiple local governments including Aomori, Fukui, and Saitama. Profile: He served as a public elementary and junior high school teacher, vice principal, principal, and supervisor in Ibaraki Prefecture for 33 years. He is primarily engaged in consulting on ICT device usage and serves as an advisor to multiple ministries, local governments, and education-related companies. Currently, he is working on educational reform through the construction of lesson designs required for the future, focusing on the use of ICT devices. He is also the chair of the judging panel for the National Selection Elementary School Programming Contest. As changes in Japan's social structure demand that children acquire new skills, school education is working on learning designs aimed at 'deep learning.' Digitalization is one means to this end, but reform will not proceed with that alone. It is necessary to leverage the strengths of both digital and analog, using them as needed. In this seminar, we will think together about the future design of learning based on excellent educational practices. About 'Minna no Gakushu Club' 'Minna no Gakushu Club' is an internet-distribution learning system for elementary and junior high schools centered on over 30,000 printable teaching materials. It includes a wealth of materials that closely follow textbooks, so it can be used in all school settings, from classes to after-school and home study. For children to solidify their learning, 'writing' is indispensable. Children can 'self-select' their learning styles—such as writing on worksheets, in notebooks, or on screens—and learn using a hybrid of analog and digital methods. The system allows easy creation of worksheets, reducing the burden on teachers for material preparation, and also allows children to choose their own worksheets, encouraging independent learning. ▼For inquiries, please contact: Nihon Cosmotopia Co., Ltd. Learning Design Promotion Division, Sales General Group, Educational Team https://gakukura.cosmotopia.co.jp/request/ ▼'Minna no Gakushu Club' service site https://gakukura.cosmotopia.co.jp/ Company Profile Nihon Cosmotopia Co., Ltd. President: Yukihiro Onoue Established: January 4, 2024 *The predecessor (former) Nihon Cosmotopia was established in 1982. Keywords: