Survey of the Influence of Open-style Spaces on Teachers' Professional Growth:
what do teachers try and what do they learn?
2005 Volume 14 Pages 80-91
Details
2005 Volume 14 Pages 80-91
Almost twenty years have passed since the Ministry of Education started the funding program for "open spaces" in 1984. As of 2004, more than six thousand elementary and junior high schools out of around 35,000 schools have some type of "open-style" spaces in their school buildings. Using these open-style spaces the schools have changed the traditional way of teaching, namely lecture-style classroom instruction, into some types of individualized instruction. However, some teachers are at a loss how to use open-style spaces.
Twenty-six open-style elementary schools were selected and a questionnaire with ninety-three questionnaire items covering nine major topics was sent. 388 teachers responded. The questionnaire was about: 1）educational practices―use of open-style spaces, instruction methods, educational programs, flexible scheduling and guidance; 2）school management―management system, cooperation with the local community; 3）professional growth and school reform.
The analysis has three focuses; the effect of open-style spaces on educational practices and on school management, and on teachers' professional growth. The teachers recognize that open-style spaces make the student learning broader and more fruitful and have made teaching more tailored to the students, life environment study, integrated study and so on. Also they actively exchange information, team-teach and bring volunteers into schools.
On the other hand, the teachers feel that preparation of instruction using the open-style spaces is harder and requires more time and energy. In spite of these problems they strive to make students' learning more meaningful by using the spaces.
The teachers recognize that the opportunity to teach at schools with open-style spaces helps their professional growth and improves teaching skills. Though they feel the teaching requires more time and extra work, they enjoy it and make efforts to implement the new Course of Study using the open-style spaces.
