Abstract
Three hundred and sixty-eight cases of teaching practice on local community were collected in Kyushu and Okinawa between 1994 and 2004. The cases on "the perspective to observe local community and to recognize its living issues" (Level 4), and those on "the perspective to try to change and to recreate local community" (Level 5) are selected for content analyses. Our results are summarized as follows; 1. It is found that the number and proportion of Level 4 and 5 cases are higher in the 1990s than in the 2000s. Cases on the "Environment" were more frequently presented than those in other areas. 2. The contents and approaches of Level 4 cases are divided into two major categories. The first category includes the living conditions of local community through research, visits and statistics ("Environment" and "Welfare" areas), and investigation into conditions of school and community ("Housing" area). The second category includes observing the living issues as their own ("Family" and "Child care" areas). Contents and approaches in the "Food and Nutrition" area are included in both categories. 3. Level 5 cases include various activities to solve the problems related to local living issues in most subject areas. 4. To reach Level 4 and 5, teachers are expected to reside in the local community in order to conduct the community-based teaching practices. They are also required to possess sensitivities and local networks to reflect and understand residents' concerns and activities.
