A Trial of Classifying Types on "Gesamtunterricht" Studies in Japan (Part 1) : The case of the lower grade curriculum of elementary school

Abstract

This paper is a preparation for developing an effectively new type of the practical "Gesamtunterricht", so called Integrated-subject curriculum. In advance of our proposal a wide variety of the types in Japan was first evaluated and classified. The pedagogical and the methodological classification on "Gesamtunterricht" studies had been studied by Prof. Rentaro Ohno. The authors used the modified Ohno's method in order to classify both the past and present studies. The following is the five types of the modified method. (1) Subject instruction The contents of subjects, discipline, are given systematically to children by a teacher. (2) Subject instruction using multi-approach methods This is the type giving children the contents of subjects, discipline, through their living experiences. (3) Subject instruction connected with integrated-subject instruction This is the type giving children discipline systematically in a subject course and through their living experiences in an integrated-subject one. (4) Integrated-subject instruction Mentality and the development of children's personalities become a core in curriculum, and knowledge-understanding and skills play a secondary role in learning. (5) Fused-subject instruction as an unified discipline All things of children's living experience are learning items. Children study a problem- solving method through the process of inquiry from their everyday life by supporting teacher's guidances and advices. Many "Gesamtunterricht" curriculum types in elementary schools would be classified into the above five ones according to the degree of integration in their curricula, and each type of them would be in detail. As a result of the classifying study on "Gesamtunterricht", the authors could show various "Gesamtunterrict" curricula in some simple diagrams. And some suggestions to develop a new type "Gesamtunterricht" curriculum could be gained. Additionally, the new type of the "Gesamtunterricht" curriculum will be published as part 2 paper in the near future.