2019 Volume 101 Issue 5 Pages 193-200
In order to clarify factors affecting forestry college students’ satisfaction with their education, the researcher conducted a questionnaire survey of students graduating from four forestry colleges in Shizuoka, Nagano, Kyoto and Shimane. The study focused on 4 points established as significant in previous research: factors determining college entrance choice, experience after entry, thoughts on student life, and knowledge and skills attained through the education. It sought to identify characteristics distinguishing satisfied from dissatisfied students. The survey revealed that both the satisfied and dissatisfied groups had placed emphasis upon acquisition of forestry knowledge and skills at the time of entrance. Both reported positive, relationships with staff, as well as acquisition of knowledge and skills related to issues such as occupational safety and workplace technology. However, three areas produced significant differences between the satisfied and dissatisfied groups. These were whether or not a dormitory was available at the time of deciding entrance, whether or not the student was able to undertake learning with classmates outside the classroom, and whether forestry management knowledge and skills were considered to have improved. It may be inferred from the study that attention to the above three points is likely to raise levels of satisfaction among forestry college students. The paper includes discussion of why these factors are especially important and what implications this may have for future forestry education.
