Tokyo University of Education and NIJIN Academy Launch Practical Joint Research Utilizing University Facilities for Next-Generation Education Fusing Metaverse and Real Spaces.

NIJIN Inc. (Headquarters: Koto-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Tatsuro Hoshino), which operates "NIJIN Academy," one of Japan's largest alternative schools for elementary and junior high school students, has entered into a joint research agreement with Tokyo University of Education (Headquarters: Koganei-shi, Tokyo, President: Mitsuru Kokubu). As a venue for practical verification of this research, a "Be happy Do happy Lab" will be established within the "Explayground Activities" promoted by the General Incorporated Association Tokyo University of Education Explayground Promotion Organization, where hybrid education will be implemented. Utilizing facilities within Tokyo University of Education as a research field (NIJIN Academy Tokyo University of Education Lab School), the effectiveness of hybrid education that fuses the metaverse and real campus will be demonstrated. ■ Objective of Joint Research: Building a "New Learning Space" that Transitions Between Digital and Physicality This joint research will be conducted under the guidance of Professor Yoshihiro Kaneko of the Tokyo University of Education's Education Incubation Promotion Organization, with the theme of "Demonstration Research on Individually Optimized Inquiry-Based Learning in a Hybrid Educational Environment Fusing Metaverse and Real Campus." The objective is to clarify the effectiveness of a "hybrid learning environment" that fuses NIJIN Academy's "Metaverse Campus (Online)" with Tokyo University of Education's educational resources (CLT combo, HIVE, Ike-to-Ogawa Play Park, etc.). The impact of transitioning between online education that transcends spatial constraints and the inquiry space of a university campus, which involves physicality, on a child's pursuit of individuality and expertise will be objectively verified. ■ Overview of Joint Research: Establishment of a Lab through Explayground Activities, Elucidating the "Learning Mechanism" A lab (NIJIN Academy Tokyo University of Education Lab School) will be established utilizing facilities within Tokyo University of Education as the practical venue for this research. This will be operated within the framework of "Explayground Activities," which fosters new learning born from "play" through industry-academia-government collaboration. Utilizing university facilities as a schooling location for NIJIN Academy, which unfolds in the metaverse space, the following investigations and analyses will be conducted: ・Analysis and Visualization of Inquiry Learning Process Logs Learning processes based on individual interests and curiosities will be analyzed from data such as ICT utilization status and behavioral observations. The mechanism by which children discover their individuality and deepen their learning into specialized areas will be organized from an academic perspective.

・Investigation of Changes in "Learning Space" and "Learning" Psychological and behavioral changes will be investigated while transitioning between virtual and real educational environments. It will be demonstrated how online stimuli are concretized in the real world, creating a cycle of learning.

The results of this research will be utilized for the construction of next-generation educational models after objective data analysis and evaluation by Professor Yoshihiro Kaneko of the Education Incubation Promotion Organization.

Launch of Demonstration Field: Pre-Opening Experience Event Held, Great Success! As the practical field for this research, a lab (NIJIN Academy Tokyo University of Education Lab School) has been established within the Explayground Activities. Prior to the full-scale commencement of research, a pre-opening experience event was held on March 26, 2026 (Thursday), where children explored the vast university campus and found "seeds" for their own inquiry themes.

"Experience Sessions" Held Every Wednesday from April Onwards! At the "NIJIN Academy Tokyo University of Education Lab School," experience sessions will be held every Wednesday starting in April for those seeking a learning environment that suits their child, including those experiencing school refusal or reluctance, and those considering alternative schools. Location: NIJIN Academy Tokyo University of Education Lab School (Tokyo University of Education Campus, Building E4, East Building 4) 4-1-1 Nukuikita-cho, Koganei-shi, Tokyo 184-8501 Application URL (Wednesday Experience Sessions):https://peatix.com/event/4934873 Contact: School Principal Takashi Isa Email: takashi.isa@nijin.co.jp Phone: 09044895696 ■ Professor Kaneko's Comment: "We want to shift the perspective of evaluation towards one that values the demonstration of abilities." At NIJIN Academy, we are advancing the practice of individually optimized learning in our "Metaverse Campus (Online)." We are very grateful to be able to participate in the "Explayground" project, promoted by Tokyo University of Education, which aims to reconstruct learning based on "play." In this project, we focus on the process of deepening learning through the back-and-forth of creation and inquiry, starting with new questions that arise from the experience of "trying things out and failing." In particular, we will clarify through both practice and research how such learning occurs in both online and real environments. Furthermore, rather than the idea of "learning to acquire" a specific skill, we will focus on the practice where skills are demonstrated as a result of immersing oneself in learning. We aim to shift the perspective of evaluation from one that measures the retention of abilities to one that values the demonstration of abilities.

School Principal Isa's Comment: "Making the University a True Learning Center" "The future of elementary, junior high, and high school students learning at university, making the university a true learning center. By collaborating with NIJIN Academy, which has made compulsory education 'portable,' and a top-tier educational institution like a university, we will create a learning space where different age groups can mix. We will co-create a future where learning naturally arises and the university becomes a true learning center." (Takashi Isa, School Principal, NIJIN Academy Tokyo University of Education Lab School)

【Research Topic of Joint Research】 Research Topic: Demonstration Research on Individually Optimized Inquiry-Based Learning in a Hybrid Educational Environment Fusing Metaverse and Real Campus - Towards the Construction of a New Learning Space that Nurtures Children's Individuality and Expertise 【Joint Research Representatives】 Research Representative: Yoshihiro Kaneko, Professor, Education Incubation Promotion Organization, Tokyo University of Education Research Staff: Takashi Isa, Corporate and Municipal Collaboration, NIJIN Inc. 【Contact Information】 Takashi Isa, Corporate and Municipal Collaboration, NIJIN Inc. Email: takashi.isa@nijin.co.jp Phone: 09044895696 ■About NIJIN Academy

An alternative school for elementary and junior high school students experiencing school refusal, opened in September 2023. Over 700 students from more than 40 prefectures nationwide are enrolled. With "multilayered psychological safety," "dialogue-based classes by top-tier teachers," and "child-led projects" as the pillars of its curriculum, it aims to create a future where all children can have hope, and not feel inferior or guilty about not being able to attend school. As an alternative learning option to school, over 90% of students who wish to do so have obtained attendance certification from their enrolled schools. *As of January 2025. ▶School HP:https://academy.nijin.co.jp/

About NIJIN Inc. A "JAPAN EDUCATION COMPANY" that solves educational issues from the system level, with the philosophy of "Illuminating the nation through education." Feeling a national crisis due to too many children unable to express themselves in current schools, Tatsuro Hoshino, a former elementary school teacher, founded the company in April 2022 to create a country where everyone can have "hope" in education. The company develops 13 systems (businesses) that solve various educational problems such as school refusal, teacher shortages, teacher working conditions, and the nature of schools.

Company Name: NIJIN Inc. Location: 2-5-5 Tokiwa, Koto-ku, Tokyo Established: April 1, 2022 Representative: Tatsuro Hoshino Business Activities: Educational businesses that solve educational issues from the system level (teacher training, school refusal support, entrepreneurship support, educational events, after-school programs) URL: https://nijin.co.jp/