2010 Volume 15 Pages 147-157
The Fundamental Law of Education indicates that, “Education shall be provided in the hope of nurturing citizens who are healthy, both physically and mentally, and qualified to be builders of peaceful and democratic national community, aiming towards perfection of human character. ” Each high school also develops its own “educational objectives” based upon actual conditions of students in the context of the Fundamental Law of Education and the School Education Act.
A curriculum is designed to achieve the educational objectives of each school and therefore, the formulation of a curriculum is the most important task of all school duties. In addition, classes serve as a basis of students’ school lives and activities. The lives in classes are extremely important elements of meaningful high school life, therefore sincere and ingenious student-centered class management is needed.
It is not easy for a teacher to instruct each student in a class of 40 students, and teachers have their own limitations. Therefore, class management should be done through collaboration and information exchange with other teachers. In addition, understanding the development of high school students is the first step of understanding the students and is essential to put class management into orbit and to support the growth of students.
Developmental features of high school age include ‘physical development ’ , ‘ intellectual development ’ , ‘ change of interpersonal relationship ’ , and ‘ development of self-consciousness. ’ Teachers must fully understand these features and apply the understanding into guidance in different phases.
Teachers in charge of their own classes have various advantages in the understanding of student since they spend more time with students. However, such advantages may give teachers the illusion that they thoroughly understand students. Teachers must interact with students so as to maintain trustful relations with students, which is the foundation of class management, while remembering their original purpose. Their original purpose is “to listen to students ” and “to interact endearingly ” with all students.
