Information for Living and Consumer Education

―Based on the methods of preservation described in explanatory pamphlets and textbooks―

Abstract

Modern everyday life at home is supported by many electric appliances. The refrigerator which was listed as one of the "Three Gifts of Heaven" in the mid 30's is now heavily relied upon throughout the year and is currently the number one user of domestic electric power. The original purpose of refrigerator is to preserve food, and in order to use it properly and effectively, a users' manual is supplied. The refrigerator has been designated as a standard teaching material for use in primary, middle and high school programs. The users' manuals of refrigerators and textbooks of home economics were collected and their explanations were compared and reviewed to find out what kind of information was actually supplied, especially as regards the preservation of food. This study revealed some manuals and the textbooks contained misleading and difficult expressions as well as statements that appeared to be in error. Further, a questionnaire survey of 450 students in the high school freshman class、vas conducted regarding the preservation of food The results of this study, will be used for analyzing the users'manuals and textbooks. At the same time, it will recommend how students as consumers should be taught in home economics classes to learn correct information and how four parties‐ consumers, manufacturers, schools, and government bodies could cooperate、with each other for consumer education.