Digital technology is no longer just a tool in education—it is the catalyst transforming how learning and critical thinking occur.
The capacity building session titled "Embracing Education 5.0: Innovating Through Digital Technology" exemplified the combined vision of JIGE and UMAP. Designed with the objective of deepening educators' understanding of Education 5.0 principles, and the critical role digital technology plays in transforming education systems.
Participants—comprising university faculty members and educators from Canada, Colombia, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam—gathered to explore how learner-centric approaches and technology-driven activities foster critical thinking and holistic development.
1. Welcome and Introduction: “Your vision for Future Education”
Program Breakdown:
- Facilitator: Dr Aisyah Astari
- Duration: 15 minutes
- Learner-Centric Activity: Icebreaker “Your Vision of Future Education” utilizing digital sticky notes
What Was Covered:
The session began with an inclusive welcome that recognized participants from various time zones across 10 countries in 3 continents - good morning to some, and good evening to others.
An engaging icebreaker was introduced, where each participant shared their forward-looking vision of education using digital sticky notes. This initial activity served as the catalyst for opening up creative dialogues and building a strong sense of community among educators from various cultural and geographical backgrounds.
Learner-Centric Approach:
- Interactive Icebreaker: By having everyone from different countries contribute their own ideas in real time, the session broke down the traditional hierarchical model. This activity not only created a sense of community of diverse perspectives, but also immediately encouraged participants to think creatively and engage in a dialogue about innovative educational futures.
- Critical Thinking: Asking learners to envision education in the future nudged them to articulate opinions and backed those opinions with creativity—setting a reflective tone right from the start.
2. Society 5.0 and Education 5.0 : Evolution, Tools, and Vision
Program Breakdown:
- Facilitators: Dr Keiko Ikeda
- Duration: Combined overview segments. 50 mins.
- Content Delivery: Multimedia presentation incorporating engaging videos and supportive PDF materials
What Was Covered:
This segment provided a comprehensive overview of the evolution of education—from the traditional teacher-centered models (Education 1.0) to the modern, learner-centric approach of Education 5.0. Using a rich blend of short videos and detailed PDF resources, the facilitators illustrated the integration of sustainability, ethical considerations, and digital technologies that has transformed educational paradigms. The presentation emphasized the importance of a personalized, lifelong learning model that places learners at the center of the educational experience.
Learner-Centric Approach:
- Multimedia Enrichment: The incorporation of both video clips made complex content was accessible and engaging.
- Critical Reflection: The session invited participants to reflect on how these principles could be applied in their own teaching contexts, laying the groundwork for in-depth discussion later on.
- Emphasis on Human-Centered Learning: The discussion redefined technology as both a tool and a catalyst for change, reinforcing the concept that true transformation lies in creating environments where learners are active participants in shaping their educational journeys.
3. Case Study Analysis: Digital Technology in Action
Program Breakdown:
- Duration: 20 minutes
- Facilitators: Dr Kinnosuke Manabe
- Tools: Multimedia case study resources, including PDFs and video clips
What Was Covered:
This segment explored a series of global case studies that demonstrated the successful digital transformation of educational practices. Examples highlighted included the implementation of AI-driven learning tools, virtual classrooms, and gamification strategies. Participants were expected to critically analyze these real-world applications to extract key lessons and discuss how similar approaches could be adapted within their institutions.
Learner-Centric Approach:
- Active Analysis: Participants were encouraged to actively engage with the case studies rather than passively absorb the information, fostering deeper critical thinking and analytical skills.
- Real-World Relevance: The focus on international examples provided tangible contexts, linking theoretical insights of Education 5.0 with practical, actionable strategies.
- Interactive Engagement: The multimedia tools made complex case studies accessible and engaging, ensuring that each participant could draw meaningful connections between digital innovations and personalized learning strategies.
4. Group Discussion and Activity: Tackling Challenges and Opportunities
Program Breakdown:
- Duration: 20 minutes
- Facilitator: Dr. Don Bysouth
- Tools: Breakout sessions and sketchpads with sticky notes
What Was Covered:
This segment was designed to explore the challenges and opportunities inherent in integrating Education 5.0 principles into existing educational frameworks. While the initial plan was to conduct small group breakout sessions, time constraints necessitated an on-the-fly adaptation. The facilitator consolidated all participants into one unified group discussion, ensuring that all insights and experiences were shared simultaneously in a collective environment.
Learner-Centric Approach:
- Adaptive Collaboration: The transition to a unified discussion ensured that all participants could contribute their ideas concurrently, leading to a richer and more inclusive exchange of perspectives.
- Real-Time Feedback: The dynamic modification maintained session momentum and allowed educators to share real-world challenges and collaboratively brainstorm solutions.
- Real-World Application: The discussions were grounded in the participants’ own experiences, making the theoretical concepts immediately relevant and prompting critical problem-solving.
5. Wrap-Up and Q&A: Reflecting on the Journey & Forward Assignments
Program Breakdown:
- Duration: 10 minutes
- Facilitator: Dr Keiko Ikeda (Master of Ceremonies)
- Tools : PDFs and Collaborative Textpads
What Was Covered:
The session concluded with a comprehensive wrap-up that synthesized the key insights and themes explored throughout the day. An open-floor Q&A session allowed participants to ask questions, clarify concepts, and reflect on the transformative ideas presented during the session. The discussion reaffirmed the importance of integrating technology with learner-centric practices to enhance educational outcomes.
Learner-Centric Approach:
- Reflective Practice: The wrap-up encouraged thoughtful reflection, enabling participants to consolidate their learning in a supportive and open environment.
- Direct Engagement: The Q&A session provided a platform for every participant to contribute, ensuring diverse perspectives were acknowledged and addressed.
- Student Empowerment: The open forum underscored the session’s commitment to student-centered learning, where every voice had a chance to be heard, enhancing the overall critical thinking process.
Forward Assignments:
At the session's end, participants were given a forward assignment in preparation for next week’s session. The assignment required educators to:
- Research and identify successful implementations of Education 5.0 programs at various universities.
- Analyze and deconstruct how these programs leverage digital technology to embody the principles of Education 5.0.
- Present their findings using the ClassDo platform, thereby facilitating continued dialogue and collaborative learning in the forthcoming session.
Conclusion
The "Embracing Education 5.0: Innovating Through Digital Technology" session powerfully demonstrated how integrating learner-centric pedagogy with digital tools can transform educational practices. By leveraging the comprehensive and intuitive features of the ClassDo platform, educators from across the globe engaged in a seamless, interactive environment that put learners at the forefront. This session not only highlighted the importance of critical thinking and active participation in today’s digital age but also provided a clear roadmap for integrating innovative practices in higher education. With forward assignments set to encourage further exploration, the journey towards a fully realized Education 5.0 continues to evolve, driven by the collective efforts of international educators committed to creating dynamic, future-ready learning environments.
More info :
JIGE (The Japan Hub for Innovative Global Education) is a pioneering collaborative educational initiative established in 2023 by Kansai University, Tohoku University, and Chiba University. Backed by significant funding from Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) under the Inter-University Exchange Project, JIGE is set on revolutionizing higher education and workforce development. By introducing innovative virtual, blended mobility, and internship programs, JIGE is redefining how educational experiences are delivered and received, paving the way for more adaptable and engaging learning environments.
In tandem with JIGE, UMAP (University Mobility in Asia and the Pacific) plays a critical role in expanding educational horizons across the region. Founded in 1991, UMAP is a consortium of 25 higher education institutions and partners committed to increasing opportunities for international study and exchange. With members spanning Central Asia, South Asia, East and Southeast Asia, Australia, and the Americas, UMAP facilitates both short- and long-term in-person and virtual exchange programs, along with Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) experiences. Over the decades, UMAP’s steadily growing membership has underscored the importance of cross-cultural educational collaborations and innovative learning practices across a dynamic and diverse region.
Hosted entirely on the integrated ClassDo.com platform, the session provided a seamless and interactive experience in which all learner-centric activities were executed within one unified space. This state-of-the-art environment ensured that facilitators were not bogged down by technical distractions, allowing them to concentrate fully on engaging participants. As a result, the session enhanced both learner effectiveness and operational efficiency, fostering continuous engagement and dynamic participation.
Digital technology is no longer just a tool in education—it is the catalyst transforming how learning and critical thinking occur.
The capacity building session titled "Embracing Education 5.0: Innovating Through Digital Technology" exemplified the combined vision of JIGE and UMAP. Designed with the objective of deepening educators' understanding of Education 5.0 principles, and the critical role digital technology plays in transforming education systems.
Participants—comprising university faculty members and educators from Canada, Colombia, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam—gathered to explore how learner-centric approaches and technology-driven activities foster critical thinking and creative problem solving.
1. Welcome and Introduction: “Your Vision for Future Education”
Program Breakdown:
- Facilitator: Dr Aisyah Astari
- Duration: 15 minutes
- Learner-Centric Activity: Icebreaker “Your Vision of Future Education” utilizing digital sticky notes
What Was Covered:
The session began with an inclusive welcome that recognized participants from various time zones across 10 countries in 3 continents - from good morning to some to good evening to others.
An engaging icebreaker was introduced, where participants shared their forward-looking vision of education using digital sticky notes. This initial activity served as the catalyst for opening up creative dialogues and building a strong sense of community among educators from diverse cultural and geographical backgrounds.
Learner-Centric Approach:
- Interactive Icebreaker: By having everyone from different countries contribute its own ideas in real time, the session broke down the traditional hierarchical model. This activity not only created a sense of community of diverse perspectives, but also immediately encouraged participants to think creatively and engage in a dialogue about innovative educational futures.
- Critical Thinking: Asking learners to creatively envision education in the future nudged them to articulate and justify their opinions with reasoned rationale—setting a reflective tone right from the start.
2. Society 5.0 and Education 5.0 : Evolution, Tools, and Vision
Program Breakdown:
- Facilitators: Dr Keiko Ikeda
- Duration: Combined overview segments. 50 mins.
- Content Delivery: Multimedia presentation incorporating engaging videos and reinforcing PDF materials
What Was Covered:
This segment provided a comprehensive overview of the evolution of education—from the traditional teacher-centered models (Education 1.0) to the modern, learner-centric approach of Education 5.0. Using a rich blend of short videos and elaborating PDF resources, the facilitators illustrated the integration of sustainability, ethical considerations, and digital technologies that have transformed educational paradigms. The presentation emphasized the importance of a personalized, lifelong learning model that places learners at the center of the educational experience.
Learner-Centric Approach:
- Multimedia Enrichment: The incorporation of video clips appealed to multi-modal senses and made complex content more accessible and engaging.
- Critical Reflection: The session invited participants to reflect on how these principles could be applied in their own teaching contexts, laying the groundwork for subsequent in-depth discussion.
- Emphasis on Human-Centered Learning: The discussion redefined technology as both a tool and a catalyst for change, reinforcing the concept that true transformation lies in creating environments where learners are active participants in shaping their educational journeys.
3. Case Study Analysis: Digital Technology in Action
Program Breakdown:
- Duration: 20 minutes
- Facilitators: Dr Kinnosuke Manabe
- Tools: Multimedia case study resources with PDFs and video clips
What Was Covered:
This segment explored a series of global case studies that demonstrated the successful digital transformation of educational practices. Examples highlighted included the implementation of AI-driven learning tools, virtual classrooms, and gamification strategies. Participants were expected to critically analyze these real-world applications to extract key lessons and discuss how similar approaches could be adapted within their institutions.
Learner-Centric Approach:
- Active Analysis: Participants were encouraged to actively engage with the case studies rather than passively absorb the information, fostering deeper critical thinking and analytical skills.
- Real-World Relevance: The focus on international examples provided tangible contexts, linking theoretical insights of Education 5.0 with practical actionable strategies.
- Interactive Engagement: The multimedia tools made complex case studies accessible and engaging, with carefully designed probing questions to elicit meaningful connections between digital innovations and personalized learning strategies.
4. Group Discussion and Activity: Tackling Challenges and Opportunities
Program Breakdown:
- Duration: 20 minutes
- Facilitator: Dr. Don Bysouth
- Tools: Breakout sessions and sketchpads with sticky notes
What Was Covered:
This segment was designed to explore the challenges and opportunities inherent in integrating Education 5.0 principles into existing educational frameworks. While the initial plan was to conduct small group breakout sessions, time constraints necessitated an on-the-fly adaptation. The facilitator consolidated all participants into one unified group discussion, ensuring that all insights and experiences were shared simultaneously in a collective environment.
Learner-Centric Approach:
- Adaptive Collaboration: The transition to a unified discussion ensured that all participants could contribute their ideas concurrently, leading to a richer and more inclusive exchange of perspectives, resulting in a more comprehensive collation of peer sourced insights.
- Real-Time Feedback: The dynamic modification maintained session momentum and allowed educators to share real-world challenges and collaboratively brainstorm solutions.
- Real-World Application: The discussions were grounded in the participants’ own experiences, making the theoretical concepts immediately relevant and prompting critical thinking and problem-solving.
5. Wrap-Up and Q&A: Reflecting on the Journey & Forward Assignments
Program Breakdown:
- Duration: 10 minutes
- Facilitator: Dr Keiko Ikeda (Master of Ceremonies)
- Tools : PDFs and Collaborative Textpads
What Was Covered:
The session concluded with a comprehensive wrap-up that synthesized the key insights and themes explored throughout the day. An open-floor Q&A session allowed participants to ask questions, clarify concepts, and reflect on the transformative ideas presented during the session. The discussion reaffirmed the importance of integrating technology with learner-centric practices to enhance educational outcomes.
Learner-Centric Approach:
- Reflective Practice: The wrap-up encouraged thoughtful reflection, enabling participants to consolidate their learning in a supportive and open environment.
- Direct Engagement: The Q&A session provided a platform for every participant to contribute, ensuring diverse perspectives were acknowledged and addressed.
- Student Empowerment: The open forum underscored the session’s commitment to student-centered learning, where every voice had a chance to be heard and analyzed, enhancing the overall critical thinking process.
Forward Assignments:
At the session's end, participants were given a forward assignment in preparation for next week’s session. The assignment required educators to:
- Research and identify successful implementations of Education 5.0 programs at various universities.
- Analyze and deconstruct how these programs leverage digital technology to embody the principles of Education 5.0.
- Present their findings using the ClassDo platform asynchronously, thereby facilitating continued dialogue and collaborative learning in the forthcoming synchronous session.
Conclusion
The "Embracing Education 5.0: Innovating Through Digital Technology" session powerfully demonstrated how integrating learner-centric pedagogy with digital tools can transform educational practices. By leveraging the intuitive and enabling features of the ClassDo platform, educators from across the globe engaged in a seamless and interactive environment that put learners at the forefront. This session not only highlighted the importance of active facilitation and participation to foster critical thinking and problem solving in today’s digital age, but also outlined a clear roadmap for integrating innovative learner-centric practices in higher education. With forward assignments set to encourage further exploration, the journey towards a fully realized Education 5.0 continues to evolve, driven by the collective efforts of international educators committed to developing digitally savvy future-ready learners with critical thinking and collaborative problem solving skills.
More info :
JIGE (The Japan Hub for Innovative Global Education) is a pioneering collaborative educational initiative established in 2023 by Kansai University, Tohoku University, and Chiba University. Backed by significant funding from Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) under the Inter-University Exchange Project, JIGE is set on revolutionizing higher education and workforce development. By introducing innovative virtual, blended mobility, and internship programs, JIGE is redefining how educational experiences are delivered and received, paving the way for more adaptable and engaging learning environments.
In tandem with JIGE, UMAP (University Mobility in Asia and the Pacific) plays a critical role in expanding educational horizons across the region. Founded in 1991, UMAP is a consortium of 25 higher education institutions and partners committed to increasing opportunities for international study and exchange. With members spanning Central Asia, South Asia, East and Southeast Asia, Australia, and the Americas, UMAP facilitates both short- and long-term in-person and virtual exchange programs, along with Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) experiences. Over the decades, UMAP’s steadily growing membership has underscored the importance of cross-cultural educational collaborations and innovative learning practices across a dynamic and diverse region.
Hosted entirely on the integrated ClassDo.com platform, the session provided a seamless and interactive experience in which all learner-centric activities were executed within one unified space. This state-of-the-art environment ensured that facilitators were not bogged down by technical distractions, allowing them to concentrate fully on engaging participants. As a result, the session enhanced both learner effectiveness and operational efficiency, fostering continuous engagement and dynamic participation.