We held a class at Furukawa Reimei High School on creating slide materials using UD (Universal Design) fonts.
In this article, we will introduce the changes to the slides that were made in this class based on the work of two students, as well as comments from the teacher!
[Works actually edited by students during class]
▼Student A
Right: Work created after learning about "Universal Design Fonts and Tips for Choosing a Typeface" (after the second day)
▼Student B
Right: Work created after learning about "Universal Design Fonts and Tips for Choosing a Typeface" (after the second day)
Font used:UD Digital Textbook Font
From the slides after the first day, it was clear that the students were conscious of the importance of "aligning" text and images, and they even tried setting line spacing, something they had never done before. After the second day, by making adjustments to the font size and thickness, the points they wanted to convey to the reader became clearer, and the materials were transformed into ones that could be easily understood.
We also received comments from Principal Ogawa of Furukawa Reimei High School and Mr. Okuyama, who worked with us on this project.
When I was a vice principal, I worked in a part-time school. I was able to take a lot of training on developmental disabilities. What I learned there about the effectiveness of lessons that utilize universal design remains with me to this day. With some ingenuity, teachers can create an environment where students with difficulties can learn with peace of mind.
Through this learning experience using UD fonts, I believe our students have come to realize the importance of conveying their messages with consideration and putting themselves in the position of the person they are communicating with.
I had always said that I wanted my students to become people who can lend a hand to people in need, so this learning opportunity was perfect for them.
I am now also a fan of UD fonts.
This workshop was conducted with the understanding that the students would explore and then present their findings. The two-hour class focused on two points in particular.
First, because the students were considering contributing to society after they entered the workforce, we asked them to talk about Morisawa's sustainability initiatives. The students felt that their contribution to society was more concrete than just seeing the SDG target marks on the web, but that learning about the actual corporate activities helped them to understand more concretely what it means to work in society, and that this strengthened their attitude toward setting their own research themes.
Next, I want students to remember that a presentation is only possible when there is an audience. Morisawa's UD (Universal Design) fonts were created with the intention of being easy to read from the audience's perspective. Through the class experience of using Morisawa UD fonts to create easy-to-understand layouts, students learned to consider how the audience sees them and to adapt their presentations depending on the audience's age and position. This has been put to good use in subsequent presentations. I feel that this experience will be useful when they enter society.
Thank you, Principal Ogawa and Mr. Okuyama, for your valuable comments. With just a little ingenuity and consideration, we can show consideration for others. I am very happy to hear that Principal Ogawa himself has become a fan of UD fonts.
[Training for teachers]
We were given approximately 60 minutes after school to provide teachers from Furukawa Reimei High School with basic knowledge about UD fonts and tips for creating materials that can be immediately used in their work. Many teachers were already aware of UD fonts, but through this opportunity they gained a better understanding of how to use them specifically and the effects of using UD fonts.
As a result, we received reports that teachers are actively using UD fonts in their handmade announcements and other materials, and that they are focusing on layouts that make them easier for others to understand.
[Conclusion]
Thanks to the cooperation of many people, we were able to hold this training session and class.
Students will be able to use the knowledge they have learned in this class not only in their information classes, but also in reports and proposals for their future schools and workplaces. When you are struggling to create a document, first ask yourself, "Who do I want to communicate with?" If you picture the face of the person you want to communicate with, you will find the answer.
We wish you all the best in your future endeavors!
Furthermore, in order to not only teach students about UD fonts and layout, but also to ensure that they continue to be interested in and use the technology afterwards, it is essential that the instructors understand the subject. I hope that you will be able to use the content of this training in your work as well.