Lessons Learnt During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Preparing Tertiary Education in Japan for 4IR

ABSTRACT

This paper aims to explore the ways in which tertiary education was disrupted in Japan due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and what new skills were acquired by teachers and students during this process. The paper will go on to explore in detail how these skills may well prepare both stakeholders for the uncertain future that 4IR (Fourth Industrial Revolution) may have in store. The value of this study lies in it attempting to give an insight into how this global crisis has the potential to leave not only despair in its wake, but also the opportunity to improve learning environments for all;it will specifically look at the new teaching methods that were hurriedly put in place, and how familiarizing oneself with these new technologies and tactics could be of great benefit in the 4IR future that lays ahead. To get a rounded understanding of this field of study, key texts written before, during and in reflection of the pandemic will be explored. These texts are largely focused on either 4IR, teaching approaches used during the pandemic, or a combination of these two fields of study. Paired with this, a small scale questionnaire was distributed amongst 8 HE (Higher Education) teachers based in Japan;the questionnaire collected both quantitative data for statistical analysis, and qualitative data for thematic analysis. The aim of this study is to explore the thoughts and opinions of Japanese HE teachers and existing literature, in the hope of discovering successful teaching methods that could be of benefit to both teachers and students, as the influence of 4IR continues to increase. Furthermore, this study will also look at any apprehension or fear associated with this influx of modern technology, and how these fears may be alleviated or avoided altogether. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.