I have heard that the Benesse Educational Technology (BEAT) program at the Interfaculty Initiative in Information Studies, The University of Tokyo, which I have been associated with, will be coming to an end with this third phase (if I recall correctly). I still have opportunities to visit the University of Tokyo for other matters and have had the chance to speak with Professor Yamauchi. While it is very unfortunate, knowing Professor Yamauchi, I am sure he will start something interesting and new. I also feel a sense of anticipation, wondering, “What will come next?” I believe this was a major project that served as a catalyst for the field of Educational Technology and Learning Sciences in Japan to gain attention and expand among people from various research fields. Perhaps we should consider that this project has now fulfilled its role.

I served as a Project Assistant Professor during the second phase from 2006 to 2009. At the invitation of Professor Jun Nakahara, I was involved in research projects such as “Narikiri English!,” “Conomi+,” and, although not part of BEAT, Professor Yamauchi’s KAKENHI research project “IDO.” I was particularly in charge of system design, but I also gained experience in overall management starting from “Conomi+.” I had been involved as a Project Assistant Professor since my second year of doctoral studies, so I was working on the UTokyo project while writing my doctoral dissertation. It was tough, but it was a truly educational and fulfilling time. I also met Professor Kitamura (Tokyo Keizai University), Professor Shigeta (Center for Research and Development of Educational Technology), and Professor Matsukawa (Osaka University). Rena Mori, a doctoral student of Professor Yamauchi, was also of the same generation as Professor Shigeta, Professor Matsukawa, and me—I have the impression that there were many of us from the ’77 generation. It was fun to be around so many people of the same or similar generation. I was also well taken care of by the staff member, Sanae Sato. I am not good at administrative work and could not remember the details, which caused her trouble. Despite that, she kindly assisted me many times. Thank you very much.

BEAT Projects
http://fukutake.iii.u-tokyo.ac.jp/archives/beat/projects/index.html

I was also in charge of editing the mailing list, BEATING. I am not good at detailed work, and I remember with nostalgia how Professor Kitamura would check the details, and the Word document would come back covered in red comments and corrections. I believe BEATING has truly been influential. I think it has played a major role in explaining theories, research, and practices in Educational Technology and Learning Sciences in an easy-to-understand way to students who want to learn about Educational Technology, corporate personnel, teachers in the field, and others who are not researchers, thereby widely disseminating knowledge in Educational Technology and Learning Sciences. Now that I am also doing research and work related to libraries and learning commons, I have been moved to find staff members who have studied Learning Sciences and Educational Technology using BEATING as a resource. In the lectures by Makoto Inoue of Doshisha University, this BEATING is mentioned every time.

I also helped manage BEAT seminars. Thinking about content that would make many people think, “I want to hear that!” was a great learning experience because it required me to think about what is coming next. I still remember:

BEAT Seminar “What Schools and Families Can Do for the Future of Education – A Dialogue between Finland and Japan”
http://fukutake.iii.u-tokyo.ac.jp/archives/beat/seminar/033.html
BEAT Seminar “Thinking about the Future of Digital Learning Materials from the 25-Year History of Educational Technology”
http://fukutake.iii.u-tokyo.ac.jp/archives/beat/seminar/037.html

I have a special attachment to these two seminars. My job for the first one was to find and negotiate with a keynote speaker from Finland. I invited Prof. Seppo Tella from the University of Helsinki as the keynote speaker. I reached out through various connections. I was involved in research during my master’s program related to iEARN, and through those contacts in Finland, I was introduced to Professor Tella. Coincidentally, he was also researching in my field of study. We talked via email, and I think the negotiations went well. We are still connected on social media.

Also, at the 2009 BEAT seminar, my mentor, Professor Akahori, stood as the keynote speaker. As his student, I was truly moved to be able to invite Professor Akahori for his final lecture before retiring from the Tokyo Institute of Technology. I was very happy. It felt like a compilation of the Educational Technology research that Professor Akahori and the Akahori Laboratory had conducted. For the floor discussion, Professor Kogo from Waseda University also participated, saying, “If it is Professor Akahori’s final lecture at Tokyo Tech, I would be happy to join.”

There are many things I look back on; BEAT was a place that, following my time at the Akahori Laboratory at Tokyo Tech, provided me with encounters with people who continue to be a real inspiration to me, and it was a place that helped me grow in areas where I was lacking. Even now, I am conducting research with Professor Kitamura and Professor Matsukawa. The fact that I have managed to continue doing research to this point is largely due to my experience at BEAT. Without my experience at BEAT, I would not be who I am today. It was BEAT that supported me after my doctorate. After I left, Professor Misono (currently at Shimane University) took over and contributed to the development of BEAT. And even now, Professor Fujimoto and Professor Takahashi, who are both truly wonderful professors, are working hard. Although BEAT is ending, I hope this research community will continue in the future, and I would like to continue learning from this community, as well as continue my own learning and research.

I am truly happy that I was able to carve such a wonderful career into my life, first at the Akahori Laboratory at Tokyo Tech and then at BEAT. I would like to thank Professor Yamauchi and Professor Nakahara. Thank you very much. I look forward to our continued relationship.

I will be attending the BEAT seminar on March 23rd!