2022 Volume 25 Pages 55-72
We conducted a questionnaire survey to clarify the changes in the perspective of teachers who have led nature experience activity at youth educational facilities regarding teaching (Study 1) ,using a teaching perspective scale consisting of (1) views on children, (2) views on educational guidance, and (3) views on student guidance, targeting 60 teachers with experience in conducting nature experience activity at youth education facilities (“Experience Group”) and 110 teachers without such experience. We also conducted an interview survey (Study 2) of 10 participants in the Experience Group on the process of change in teaching perspectives. Study 1 made it apparent that the Experience Group’s views on children had changed to emphasize children’s independence. In addition, through the free response questions, we found that there were changes in the Experience Group’s perceptions of children’s learning environments due to witnessing changes in the children and other staff members. Study 2 found that the teachers’ views on children and experience activities changed through their interactions with children due to the trial and error method of teaching in an environment different from the school. In summary, conducting nature experience activity at youth education facilities had a significant impact on teachers’ views on children. It also provided them an opportunity to reconsider their approach to educational guidance and student guidance.
