Assessing Learning Practices About Radiation in Upper Secondary School Science : Supplemental Readers Published by MEXT as Standards

Abstract

MEXT has published supplemental readers to help primary, junior high and upper secondary school students learn about radiation in the aftermath of the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident of 2011. The aim of this study was to assess the level and range of previous teaching about radiation in upper secondary school science classes based on the standard use of supplemental readers in order to support the enhancement of related school teaching. The results enabled suitability assessment for a wide range of topics and levels with a focus on the content of lessons. The definitions of radioactivity, radiation, radioactive materials and the influence of radiation were of a standard appropriate for high school-level teaching, while topics such as the observation, measurement and uses of radiation were not taught. Few lessons dealt with gray units, fluorescence and the ionizing effect of radiation, while more dealt with variations in radiation, the presence of natural radiation and radiation transmission and shielding. No teaching covered the characteristics of half-life and the use of radiation in advanced technology and daily life.