A study on learning heredity -A comparative study of textbooks in Japan and Germany-

Abstract

In this study, comparring learning contents of heredity in textbooks of “Science I” in Japan and “Biology” in Germany, the author discussed their characteristics of both countries.

In resultit can be recognized thatthe textbooks ofboth countries contain some same learning contents, butthatthere are some differences between them. These differences suggestthe followings; In Japan it is considered importantto understand generally and theoretically the Mendel’s law ofheredity. On the other hand, in Germany it is considered important not only to understand basics of the law, but also to apply practically the understandings to actual cases in life.

It can be also recognized thatin Japan the study of Mendel on heredity is considered more important than in Germany when learning heredity.

Besides the study has clarified the followings; The law, named “law ofdominance” in Japan, dosen’t exist in Germany, inversely the law, named “law of unifomity” in Germany, dosen’t exist in Japan. Significance of the both laws differs each ohter. As the result there are some differences between both countries in sequence of learning contents in the textbooks and in hereditary characters treated in them.

Lastly the author made some suggestions on learnig heredity.