Consideration of Teaching Methods of Nuclear Education : Education Activity in the Teacher-Training Course

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to clarify the problems in the teaching methods with regard to education about nuclear power and to contribute to nuclear education in the future. There are many problems inherent to atomic energy itself, and ther are correspondingly difficult aspects to the methods of teaching about it. On the basis of the Junior High School Course of Study published in 2008, there exist some deep problems as we reflect on and reformulate our perspectives on nuclear power and other related issues. In order to form opinions, it is necessary to have basic knowledge and understanding of radiation and atomic energy. In addition, when we investigated the understanding of atomic energy of the students in the teacher-training course, it was revealed that most of them did not have sufficient knowledge of radiation and atomic energy. Therefore, we carried out a special lecture about atomic energy. As a result, we showed that many of the students advanced their knowledge and understanding of atomic energy, which raised their interest level as well as their confidence in their ability to teach about it.