Learner-Centric Introduction of Information Technology into Education: Blending Online and In-Person Learning, and Integrating Cyber-Physical Experiences

<p>The COVID - 19 pandemic triggered the introduction of online classes, in which faculty members employ a learning management system to handle digital data on education. Unlike in-person classes, online classes have disadvantages, such as difficulty in creating deep relationships among students; however, time and distance constraints have been eliminated, and collaborative learning in groups of students can be conducted anytime and anywhere. Lecturers from other universities and industries can also be invited from overseas without distance restrictions. In-person classes and online classes each have their own advantages and are not a choice between one or the other. Here, we present a blend of different educational methods in a learner-oriented manner. It is important to respect the positive aspects of two or more methods and integrate them to improve education. As first examples of blending, the positive aspects of in-person and online classes are blended and described. Second, a blended study abroad program that utilizes and combines the positive aspects of both travel-based and online study abroad programs, as well as cyber-physical experiments, to provide a collaborative design and experimentation at a distance is discussed. Inclusive education is realized by blending paper with electronic media to make books accessible to everyone, including learners with disabilities.</p>