The Developmental Research on the Thematic Approach in In-service Training
1999 Volume 8 Pages 110-118
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1999 Volume 8 Pages 110-118
We report the developmental research that the incumbent graduate students of Shiga University investigated the thematic approach in England, developed the subject-matter and practiced it. This paper is consisted of three parts : the progress of in-service training in graduate school ; the outline and the significance of the thematic approach practiced by Tanaka in his classroom ; examinating the possibility of in-service training.
First, we present the progress of the developmental research performed in graduate school. In 1994, it was started in the seminar of Shiga University by professor Inagaki.
We used the Focus Pack carried in Junior Education, researched the thematic approach in England and U.S.A. and developed the subject-matter. Professor Inagaki continued this research with graduate students. In 1998, we organized the society for the study of the thematic approach. We have compared the integrated learning of Japan with the thematic approach of England and developed the subject-matter in Japan.
Second, we report the thematic approach practiced by Tanaka who is one of our members. He adopted “WATER” from a lot of Focus Packs. In 1998, he practiced “The study of WATER” with the forth grade children at Seta-higash primary school in Otsu-City. First, he presents the outline of the Focus Pack “WATER”. Second, he reports and examines his practice. Third, he reflects on his hishimselctice and himself. He discourses that it is important to reexamine teaching and learning and be empaciated from a fixed frame of education.
Finally, we considered some points about the significance of the practical and developmental research in in-service training. First, this research has a possibility that reorganizes a school-based curriculum study. Second, we think that teachers cultivate the capacity to reflect and develop a new type teaching through this research. Third, we will grow up into a leader of the curriculum development that is an important issue today.
