#169: [Summer Vacation Project: Meeting That Person] Learning from Professionals: Learning from Hiromin. It wasn't the 'tools' that would change education in Akita, but the 'people who connect'.

This summer vacation, I have decided to make it a summer of learning from people.

Learning from books and lectures is certainly important. However, I feel that spending time together in person and experiencing that person's thoughts and values has even greater worth.

This time, I participated in a Canva workshop held by Hiromin, who has been helping me for some time.

However, what I learned was not just how to use Canva.

I want to make education in Akita even better.

I want to continue doing things that help others.

I was able to witness the way of life of a person who puts these thoughts into action.

① 'Let's bring the breeze of Canva to Akita.' A workshop that started from that thought.

My first encounter with Hiromin was at a mathematics training session held by volunteers a while ago.

From a university professor

"There is a teacher who is interested in many things and
is constantly taking on new challenges."

That was how I was first introduced to her.

Our interaction began there, and in fact, it was Hiromin who taught me how to use the official LINE account that I currently use!

She is a respected

"Grand Master"

who has constantly drawn me into new worlds!

Then, on Facebook, Hiromin posted,

"I will be holding a Canva workshop for teachers."

Seeing that post, I thought,

and decided to participate.

The story I heard at the beginning of the workshop left a deep impression on me.

Several months had passed since Canva was introduced on school tablets, but its existence and how to use it were not yet well known in the field, and it seems it was a situation wheredespite having an environment ready to use, utilization was not progressing.

Of course, it was a new tool not only for the teachers but also forthe ICT support staff.

That is precisely why,

"I want to share the fun and convenience of Canva, which I have been using every day, with the teachers. And I would be happy if that learning spreads to the children and a breeze of Canva blows through the school."

It seems she planned this workshop with that sentiment in mind.

Hearing that, I

I felt my heart grow warm.

Education is not something that can be changed by one person alone.

That is precisely why those who know,pass that joy on to the next person.

I realized that such a gentle cycle is what will move Akita's education forward, little by little.

(2) Canva was a tool that could preserve both 'memories' and 'learning'

Of course, I also learned many practical ways to use Canva during the workshop.

Among them, what moved me the most wasthe practical example from a graduation ceremony that Hiromin actually created two years ago.

Everyone, please imagine this.

The day of graduation.

The children returning home after reaching the moving finale.

I look at the final class newsletter again slowly at home.

On it, there is a Canva QR code printed.

When you scan that QR code, a video message from the teachers to the children created in Canva plays.

The time right after graduation passes by in a rush.

But, on the night you return home and take a breath, you watch that video while reflecting on your middle school life.

Surely, the time spent in the classroom and memories with friends will come back to life, warming your heart.

After seeing that practice,

I felt that strongly.

Furthermore, now that Canva is installed on student tablets, the possibilities for collaborative editing have expanded significantly.

For example,

🔥Creating class newsletters together.

🔥Editing student council videos by yourselves.

🔥Co-producing school introduction videos.

Creating a single project together, not alone.

That experience itself becomes a learning opportunity.

Just imagining such a future makes me want to start creating right now.

Canva is not just an app for creating designs.

I felt that it is a tool that can preserve children's memories and learning in a "tangible form."

③ The biggest takeaway was being able to breathe the same air as someone who "takes on challenges."

Actually, what made me happiest wasn't the features of Canva.

Then, what was it?

It was meeting the people who had gathered there.

The participants were mainly school teachers, but they came from various positions and generations.

I heard that the faces changed with each session, and some people even stopped by to participate while on their travels.

What they all had in common was:

"I want to learn new things."

"I want to make things better."

That is the positive feeling I have.

Once production began, the venue had a very harmonious atmosphere.

Each person was working seriously with their hands, showing each other their finished pieces,

"That's great!"

"There's also this way to do it."

It was a space where they were naturally learning from one another.

Just being in that kind of atmosphere makes you want to take on more challenges yourself.

It makes you want to learn more.

People are nurtured by their environment.

The sight of teachers continuing to learn.

The sight of them taking on challenges with joy.

That very example might be the best education for children.

Conclusion

What I learned at this Canva workshop wasn't just how to use the software.

The desire to make education in Akita even better.

The attitude of wanting to generously share what you've learned with others.

And the positive energy created by a space where people who take on challenges gather.Positive energy.

All of that has become a great asset to me.

As expected, the theme for this summer is spot on.

Thank you, Hiromin, for providing such wonderful learning.

Next, I would like to pass on the wind of Canva that I received on this day to the children and teachers of Akita.

▶️Summer Vacation Project: Meeting That Person◀️