Changes in the Frequency of Teaching/Learning Activities on the Basis of the Course of Study for Science in Elementary and Lower Secondary Schools

Abstract

In order to conduct research on changes in teaching methods by science teachers based on the revision of the course of study, two groups of students were compared. One was in the fifth grade in 1989 and the eighth grade in 1992. The other was in the fifth grade in 2000 and the eighth grade in 2003. The frequency of science teaching/learning activities in the two groups was compared. First, the methodology of the lessons was examined. In the eighth grade, lessons in which textbooks had mainly been used have changed to lessons in which additional contents have also been taught, corresponding to supplementary and advanced study. The frequency of copying what was written on blackboards was in the eighth grade classes. Second, the development of student interest was described. It was found that the number of lessons in the eighth grade which related the study of science to everyday life was increased. That is emphasized in the present course of study. Third, experiments and observations, which are both emphasized in the present course of study, were examined. So far the teachers of both grades have tried to conduct more experiments by students and demonstrations by teachers. Even now, in the eighth grade, the frequency of experiments, demonstrations, and outdoor observations has increased. Concerning lessons related to everyday life and experiments and demonstrations, their frequency in the eighth grade has increased, and they were almost the same as the number in the fifth grade. It seems that the eighth-grade teachers have been trying to improve their lessons so as to be as effective as those of the fifth-grade teachers. However, no change was found in regard to the development of the students' intellectual curiosity. There was no significant change in the frequency of lessons considered "interesting." Also there was not any significant change in the ratio of students who liked science.