The Implementations of 21st century education : a case study of Japan's Super Global High school initiative

Abstract

Twenty-first-century skill-based education has emerged as an innovative approach to education. Many countries worldwide have adopted its principles to infuse fresh ideas into their educational system to prepare students to be global leaders. In 2015, the Japanese government also initiated the Super Global High school (SGH) program to incorporate 21st-century learning skills into selected high schools in Japan to empower students to be active participants on the international stage. Blue Mountain High School was one of the selected high schools to implement the SGH program. This case study research provided an in-depth probe into how Blue Mountain High School implemented the SGH program. This study demonstrated that the SGH program had a significant impact on students who participated in the numerous programs Blue Mountain offered under the umbrella of the SGH program. The results showed that students who participated in the program gained profound exposure in terms of knowledge and experience on global issues. Students demonstrated more interest in global affairs and were eager to engage like-minded foreigners in collaborative problem-solving projects. The result also showed that the SGH program provided a forum for students to interact with experts in various fields of humanitarian services. Through these interactions, students developed awareness and understanding of domestic and international humanitarian issues. These issues included social, political, and economic challenges people face around the globe. Students were challenged to think and explore ways to address those issues as future leaders. The program also allowed the participants to develop, improve, and demonstrate the essential 21st-century skills needed to survive current and future job requirements. The participants demonstrated that despite their level of education and status in society, they, too, could contribute effectively to solving social problems and contribute to the welfare of society. During the implementation of the program, classroom activities were engaging, motivating students to take more interest in learning and expressing their opinions about issues freely. Students expressed more interest in communicating in English as an outcome of Blue Mountain’s international programs. The study also demonstrated through an innovation configuration map that Blue Mountain substantially met all the requirements for implementing the SGH program.