The Existing State of the Courses of Study at the Faculties of Education and Suggestions to reform them : laying stress on science education

Abstract

1 The recent tendency of the reform of teacher education The principal objectives of this literature are to analyze the existing state of the courses of study which have been reformed, and to consider the questions which have come up as a result of the analysis. 2 Science education in the courses for the primary school teachers (1) Science education for the students who don't major in science A survey of the curriculum revealed that almost all of the colleges and faculties prepared special subjects for the students in the courses for the primary school teachers. Specifically speaking, science for this group of primary school teachers is studied not as individually differentiated subjects but as a combined whole. (2) Science education for the students who major in science The same survey showed that the students who major in science took extremely large number of units in science in the professional education course, leaving very little time for the other supporting courses such as literature, history, music, etc. This has further created an imbalance and thus has lowered the quality of education in this area. (3) The curriculum reform of the courses for the primary school teachers The curriculum requires four years to complete the courses of study for the primary school teachers. As it is now, too many courses are required in the student's major field. Rather than concentrate too much on one's major, I believe that the staff of the Faculty of Education should recognize that length of time must be used to generate a curriculum emphasizing a balance between quality and quantity, both in the field of general education and in professional education, and creating a continuity between the two in the process. 3 Science education in the courses for the junior high school teachers There are two types of courses for the junior high school teachers. The A-type requires a deep concentration on one of the following subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, or Geology. The B-type requires all four subjects on equal basis. The Faculty of Education at Shinonome, Hiroshima University requires a minimum of eight units in each of these four subjects, thus avoiding extremly large numbers of units for specific subjects. 4 The course of study at the faculties of education A lot of questions have come up in my study of the courses of study for the primary and junior high school teachers. Reform is dictated especially to the course of study for the primary school teachers as it is in a very confused state.