ECSCHOOL Model: A Case Study of Building Learning Support Community in ICT Promotion Project in Japan

Due to concerns about the digital divide based on age, an ICT promotion project named “e-namokun” was started in Nagoya, Japan to support the Internet use by senior citizens. In the project, a learning support community system named ECSCHOOL (www.ecschool.org) for senior citizens and ICT novices was developed to help them gain computer and Internet-related knowledge. The ECSCHOOL model has the following features: learning contents for different users, suitable communication and support tools, introduction of field research results, participation of ICT volunteers, an easy-to-use interface, and low development cost. The ECSCHOOL scheme is a new operational model for promoting e-learning in lifelong learning fields. This paper discusses the ECSCHOOL model, the system’s structure, its main functions, its learning content, and the formation of communities.