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Over the past few decades, Japan has experienced some major changes in its educational system. The shift from concentrated education to a so-called “yutori kyoiku” system of less demanding education has prompted a sharp increase in concerns about the deterioration of academic ability, as well as efforts to reverse the trend. Meanwhile, as the number of young people declines, Japan is moving toward an era when all students who apply for university will be accepted. Along with these changes in educational conditions and perceptions about childhood education, there has been a widening disparity in the learning aptitude of students, as well as the number of hours they spend studying, while the motivation to learn has been declining in general.
Data drawn from Benesse's “Fourth Basic Survey of Academic Performance*” clearly demonstrates a growing gap between students achieving high marks and those recording low marks in terms of the number of hours they spend studying at home, their learning aptitude and their interest in learning. In addition, Benesse's “First Basic Survey of Childhood Activities”** showed that there was a sharp increase in the number of first-year junior high school students who responded that they “have trouble getting motivated to study” – 53.9%, compared with 39.7% for sixth grade elementary school students.
This trend has not only been apparent from such data. As educators ourselves, working in the context of a changing educational environment and attitudes towards learning that are in flux, we have to ask ourselves whether, when we merely send out materials once a month, and grade them once a month, we are really understanding each child.
In response to these trends, Benesse has begun working to develop a next-generation program for correspondence course learning, which addresses questions such as “What can Benesse do to develop the education industry in ways that will benefit children?”; “Is it possible to develop a new style of learning that will not simply improve test results, but will improve learning aptitude and desire to learn?”; and “What services can Benesse provide that will allow children to develop a sense of joy in learning?”

Now that Benesse has begun its project to develop next-generation correspondence courses, it is identifying the features which add value to a correspondence course. In particular, we have determined that the key element in helping students to develop skills that will be truly useful in the future is whether or not their study activities are self-motivated.
The courses Benesse is developing not only address short-term aims, such as helping students pass regularly-scheduled tests or entrance exams; the services also are intended to stimulate students to study on their own, and help them understand the basic enjoyment of learning itself. If these courses can also provide skills that will be useful to students in their future daily lives, and open up new areas of interest, then this should stimulate their basic curiosity and desire to learn, thus benefitting each child in their future life.
The first stage in developing the course was to select the medium. As an initial starting point, Benesse decided that it would be best to try to incorporate as many media and features as possible, and sought advice and input from numerous specialists in an effort to include various features of the internet. By 2006, some 60% of junior high school students said that if they wanted to find out about something, they would “access the internet from home, and search for information.” Benesse recognized that, as the IT skills and experience of youngsters increase, the best way to ensure that Shinkenzemi courses meet the needs of each student is to use the functions of the internet to provide the information that each student needs, when they need it. Once these capabilities had been verified, Benesse developed a course which integrated its traditional paper-based texts with internet functions, under the name “Shinkenzemi Junior High School Course + i.”

The course that Benesse has developed– Shinkenzemi Junior High School Course + i – takes full advantage of the audio and video features of computers and the internet to provide explanations that are easier for students to grasp, and to tailor the lessons more precisely to the needs of each student. The internet also allows students to interact with “mentors” who give them advice on learning methods, and provide the support needed to resolve students' concerns regarding studying on their own and other issues. This was not possible with traditional, paper-based correspondence courses. Furthermore, these courses not only teach students the lessons that are part of their curriculum; they also teach children how to solve problems by themselves, teach them practical English language skills, and help them develop skills in Information and Communications Technology (ICT). Best of all, students enjoy themselves more while learning, and developing the skills that they will need in the future.
The course was launched in March 2008, and most students indicated that they “really enjoy studying now.” Nevertheless, there are still improvements to be made, for example, by improving the interface structure and displays to ensure that students do not get confused while studying via the internet.
Shinkenzemi Junior High School Course + i is the first large-scale e-learning system of its type anywhere in the world, allowing Benesse to instantly determine how each student is using the course and manage the way that they are learning. Thus, it can provide additional value because it can be adapted to suit each individual student. By carefully considering how future learning materials can benefit from the data we have collected regarding lessons taken and correct answers, we believe that Benesse will be able to continuously improve its products and remain the pioneer in developing learning methods.

I am going to concentrate on English pronunciation

Kouta Azuma,

Osaka City

I use the computer all the time so it was easy to get used to the course. I think I can manage to do the “Challenge” textbook and the online work at the same time. It's been fun trying out experiments myself and playing the games. From now on I want to work on my English; I am going to concentrate on pronunciation especially.

I think studying will become even more fun

Haruka Kawaguchi,

Miyazaki City

If you use it properly, it doesn't take long to get used to the course. It is really fun, and a nice change from writing answers on a piece of paper. It is useful in preparing for tests, and also for dealing with my weak points. I think if I continue the course through the summer my grades will improve and studying will become even more fun.

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	Helping Each Individual to Improve Themselves and Address Challenges They Face at Each Stage of Their Lives
	By combining its Shinkenzemi correspondence courses with the internet, Benesse has provided a more enjoyable method of learning for a new millennium.
	Benesse is working to improve personnel policies and business models in the nursing care industry in an effort to help people “live well.”