1986 Volume 10 Issue 2 Pages 23-34
This paper describes the development a series of star charts for use in teaching astronomy, part of the science curriculum. Star charts are used in identifying constellations and the locations of various stars at night. Today, there are Japanese schools located all over the world. Because science instruction is strongly influenced by the natural environment and setting in which it is taught, such a situation has given rise to a number of difficulties. For example, in the southern hemisphere it is impossible to observe the same constellations seen from Japan. The author therefore developed a method by which teachers and children can make star charts which match their own locality. His method is highly practical and can be used easily anywhere in the world. In addition, the author used a microcomputer to produce star charts suitable to each of eleven world regions. The author concludes that using microcomputers in material development is a new and fascinating field of educational technology which is worthy of further exploration.
