The OECD Education and Skills 2030 Thematic Working Group (TWG5) held its 4th meeting “Engagement Strategy + Implementation” online on September 16, 2021 (14:00 CEST/21:00 JST). At this international meeting, KSTN Advisor and Fukushima University President Miura Hiroki presented the Learning Compass 3D he created while KSTN Executive Fellow and Gakushuin University Professor Akita Kiyomi discussed the benefits of using a translation software called DeepL that runs an artificial intelligence algorithm that enables a more precise and quicker translation.

Professor Miura, using his professional training in 3D modelling, created the OECD Learning Compass 2030 using a 3D printer (see picture below). He stated that objects such as these may be effective as a tool for young people to voice their opinions when discussing the topic of well-being.

In addition, Professor Miura introduced the Thematized Talk Cards (a deck of 50 cards that presents keywords to promote discussions on well-being) that he previously created and a work-in-progress Well-being Flower with detachable pedals that represent the 11 Better Life Indices. Professor Miura stated that these artwork are hand-made and therefore limited in the quantity that can be produced, but he plans to share them with anybody who is interested through crowdfunding.

Following Professor Miura’s presentation, an audience member commented that he appreciated seeing the Learning Compass 2030 in a tangible, 3D form because “we are about to transform education for well-being, the whole person, so it’s not just the cognitive area but it’s the total person.” He then mentioned that tools like this can help students get “set up for great success as they move forward in life, not just in schools or jobs but in life overall.”

Next, Professor Akita presented on the topic of translating the OECD curriculum analysis reports in Japanese using a translation software called DeepL that runs an artificial intelligence algorithm. She explained that using a translation software allows a single person to translate large amounts of documents in a short period of time and, in doing so, leave time for various stakeholders to engage in a dialogue about the content to refine the translation. Specifically, Professor Akita mentioned how the translation was checked by teachers to make sure it was in a language they understood. OECD Senior Analyst Miho Taguma also provided explanations about the intention, background, and the process of the report as one of its co-authors. Translation of the 12 Design Principles was also triangulated by involving the KSTN student members who related them to their learning experiences.

Upon listening to Professor Akita’s presentation, the TWG5 meeting moderator Kerstin from Germany sympathetically stated “I feel with you because last year we did the German translation of the Learning Compass, and it’s wonderful to have this AI translation first and then working with students and all the other stakeholders.” An audience member and student Celina said she was glad to see that students were involved in the process of triangulation “to make sure you’re always referring back to something real and that you’re always connecting to the student experience so they always say something that the students understand.”

Professors Miura and Akita’s presentations represent the broader aims of the Kyoso Sankaku Tanket Network to promote the principles of the OECD Education and Skills 2030 project to education stakeholders in Japan while promoting the ideas and processes of engagement to the world.