Introducing User-Centered Perspectives and Human-Centered Design into Education through Collaboration with Local Residents

Abstract

This paper introduces the development and implementation of a program as an educational model designed to cultivate information professionals with a user-centered perspective. This program incorporates active learning through collaboration with local residents and integrates the mindset and approach of Human-Centered Design (HCD) into information education. Amid increasing demands for inclusive digital transformation, understanding diverse citizens and their daily lives is essential. We demonstrate the program’s effectiveness at the introductory stage by linking the newly established educational platform “Digital Nara” and the specialized course “User-Centered Perspectives and Human-Centered Design,” thereby deepening students’ understanding of others and social issues.