2015/10/06

ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IN ELEMENTARY SECONDARY EDUCATION OF

JAPAN

KIYOHARA Yoichi

Chief Inspecter Elementary and Secondary Education Bureau

School System

＆

The Course of Study

in Japan:

Points for Revision

1

Source: MEXT2005

School System

2

• Basic framework for the school system

-> school education system and local education administration

system

-> textbook approval system

-> teacher licensing system

• National standards

-> standards for setting up schools

-> Courses of Study, standards for school curricula

-> criteria for class sizes and numbers of teachers

• Financial support for maintaining educational conditions

-> teachers’ wages and construction work on school buildings

-> supplying textbooks free of charge

National

government

Prefectural

boards of

education

・ Hiring teachers for municipal public elementary and lower

secondary schools

・Wages for teachers at municipal public elementary and lower

secondary schools

・Managing the setting up of prefectural public schools

Schools ・Implementing education

Municipal boards

of education ・ Managing the setting up of municipal public elementary and lower

secondary schools

Responsibilities at the National, Prefectural and Municipal Levels

3

About the Course of Study in Japan Revision once every about 10 years

The former course of study ：Revision in 1998

・ Elementary and Lower Secondary Schools ： Execution in 2002

High school ： Execution in 2003

・ The academic ability survey is executed. →The change is understood.

It discusses in Central Education Council.

The directionality of the following revision is shown.

The discussion is received, and it works the revision.

Current course of study ：Revision in 2008 / 2009

Manual of curriculum guidelines

Textbook（Authorization）

4

Elementary Schools ： Execution in 2011

Lower Secondary Schools ： Execution in 2012

Upper Secondary school ： Execution in 2013

Issues of education in Japan ・The Result of international student assessment （TIMSS，PISA） ・The result of educational research of a country ，etc.

Directionality of improvement in the future

About the situation of the discussion

of Central Education Council

5

THE REPORT OF THE CENTRAL COUNCIL FOR EDUCATION JANUARY 17, 2008

The necessity for substantial environmental education ・Energy and an environmental problem are subjects important

for resource-starved our country of course for survival and prosperity of human beings' future.

・The children who will live in the 21st century are urged to raise a practical attitude and nature, and capability to act actively because of environmental preservation or creation of better environment.

・Energy and an environmental problem are deeply concerned with science and technology also in the cause also for the solution. Therefore, it is important to study that we have to have the view and view of a scientific thing.

・I make children do various experience activities in rich nature or a familiar area. It is required to let them pass and to cultivate the concern about the soul and environment where I respect the rich susceptibility to children and a life automatically, etc.

6

THIS REVISION WE THINK AS IMPORTANT THE EDUCATION FOR THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (ESD) WHICH UNITED NATIONS ADVOCATED.

7

Economic development

Poverty reduction Corporate social responsibility

Social development

Employment, human rights, sexual equality, peace, human security

Environmental preservation Global warming, water

The present course (2008 notification) The old course (1998 notification)

（Grade 3 and Grade 4） □ The acquisition of drinking water/electricity/gas □ The effective use of resources such as water and the conservation of electricity

（Grade 5） □ That various manufacturing products are supporting people’s lives. The functions of trade

（Grade 3 and Grade 4） □ The acquisition of drinking water/electricity/gas （Establishment）

（Grade 5） □ That various manufacturing products are supporting people’s lives. The functions of trade

（Grade 3） □ Circuit connections that conduct electricity, materials that conduct electricity

（Grade 4） □ the functions of the dry battery and photocell, the functions of electricity

（Grade 6） ○the properties and the function of electricity, the ways to use electricity

（Grade 3） □ Circuit connections that conduct electricity, materials that conduct electricity

（Grade 4） □ the functions of the dry battery and photocell, the functions of electricity （Establishment）

☆ : Contents substantial by the notification in 2008

The main point of revision Old and new contents comparison （Elementary schools ）

Socia

l Stu

die

s

Scie

nce

Ele

menta

ry S

chools

The present course (2008 notification) The old course (1998 notification)

（Geography） □ Issues related to the environment and energy （Civics） □ the importance of economic and technical cooperation in

order to resolve challenges for the earth’s environment, resources and energy

□ to explore challenges which we must solve in order to create a better society from the perspective of establishing a sustainable society

（地理的分野） □ Issues related to the environment and energy（公民的分野） □ Subject study about resources and an energy problem （Establishment）

（Field One） □ the amount of energy of a body can be measured by the

work performed on one body by another body □ People obtain energy from hydraulic power, thermal power,

and atomic energy The efficient use of energy is important □ the properties and use of radiation

（Field One，Field Two） □ Scientific and technological developments, Natural blessings

and disasters（Compulsory） □ Conservation of the natural environment and the use of

science and technology

（第１分野） （Establishment） □ People obtain energy from hydraulic power, thermal power, and atomic energy The efficient use of energy is important （Establishment） □ Developed necessity of the science and technology which planned for the harmony with the environment, Natural blessings and disasters（Choice） （Establishment）

（Technology） □ Technological advancements contributes to protection of

natural resources, effective use of energy, and natural environment.

□ We made "Technology of energy conversion" independent and made it Compulsoly.

・ the mechanism of energy converting devices and their maintenance checks

・ the design and production of the devices applying the technology of energy conversion

（Technology） □ Technological advancements contributes to protection of natural resources, effective use of energy. □ the design and production of the devices applying the technology of energy conversion （Choice）

Socia

l Stu

die

s

Technolo

gy a

nd

Hom

e E

conom

ics

Scie

nce

Low

er S

econdary

Schools

The main point of revision Old and new contents comparison （Lower Secondary Schools）

ＳＣＩＥＮＣＥ

Points for Revision

10

ISSUES IN SCIENCE EDUCATION

Issue of child's attitude toward studying science

The concern for people's sciences must be low

Lack of child's experiences in nature

Basic knowledge and understanding

Scientific thinking and ability of expression

,etc

11

Science Curriculum Guidelines:

Points for Revision

□ Firmly set in place basic fundamental knowledge and skills

・ Structurize and enhance fundamental scientific outlook and

concepts as basic pillars of understanding

・ Through the curriculum contents, establish a “Spiral Structure”

□ Promotion of scientific thought and power of expression

・ Enhancement of investigative study activity

・ Understanding is deepened based on the results of

observations and experiments.

・ Explain results using scientific concepts

＊ Acquisition and use, inquisition …….. combine to strengthen skills

＊ Value words and experience

＊ increase number of hours of science and mathematics learning

12

＋２０

＋１５

＋１０

＋１０

０

＋３５

＋６０

The Ｎumbers of Science Classes for a year

13

former current

Particle Existence of particles Preservability of particles

Combination of particles Energy which particles have

Energy The view of energy Effective use of energy resources

Conversion and preservation of energy

Lower

Secondary

Schools

Elementary

Schools

14 radiation

Conservation of the natural

environment and the use of

science and technology

Life The structure and the function of living things Continuity of a life

Diversity and similarity of living things Relation of living things and environment

Earth The inside of the earth The circumference of the earth

The surface of the earth

Elementary

Schools

15

Lower

Secondary

Schools

Conservation of the natural

environment and the use of

science and technology

Initial Hypothesis

Experiment Proof

Analysis and

Interpretation of

Experimental Data

Investigative Activities

Compare

Focusing on

the conditions

Analysis and

Interpretation Relate

Deduce Experiment

Planning

16

Points for Revision（Continuation）

□ Enhance observation, experiments, experience of

Nature and scientific experience

・Structured with aim to understand Scientific

principles and laws

・Continuous observations and measurements

□ Increase enthusiasm for science learning, keep pace

with science and technology developments

・Enhance curriculum contents on relationship between people and

science and technology, and relationship between people and Nature

＊ Value words and experience

＊ Foster a rich sensibility

＊ Help in the real world

17

MARCH, 2011 AN EAST JAPAN GREAT EARTHQUAKE, THE NUCLEAR POWER PLANT DISASTER ACCOMPANYING IT

DIRECTIVITY OF ENERGY ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ?

About the state of our society, the origin question was thrust before.

The side reader about radiation is needed.

18

RADIATION SIDE READER

19

http://www.mext.go.jp/b_menu/shuppan/sonota/attach/1313004.htm

http://www.mext.go.jp/b_menu/shuppan/sonota/attach/1344729.htm

Published in 2011

Published in 2014

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