Japanese Journal of Environmental Education
Online ISSN : 2185-5625
Print ISSN : 0917-2866
ISSN-L : 0917-2866
Volume 27, Issue 1
Displaying 1-8 of 8 articles from this issue
Special Issue: The Next National Curriculum and Environmental Education
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Articles
  • - A Case Study of Marine Education in Noto Town, Ishikawa Prefecture -
    Kyoko MATSUMOTO, Kimihito TAKENO, Makoto URATA, Michio MATSUBARA, Taka ...
    2017 Volume 27 Issue 1 Pages 1_16-22
    Published: 2017
    Released on J-STAGE: June 28, 2018
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

      This study clarifies the factors that influence children’s settlement intention in rural areas through community-based education. Derived from a questionnaire that surveyed elementary and junior high school students, we found that offering an education focusing on marine studies made a significant contribution to a child’s motivation to learn marine education, to participate in community festivals, participate in community events other than community festivals and to take pride in local products. This confirms that contact with nature and developing pride in the natural surroundings of the community heighten involvement in the community and children’s settlement intention.

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  • - Case study of a year-long learning activity conducted for the 5th-grade children of Tama City Renkoji Elementary School -
    Yasuhiko OISHI, Mariko INOUE, Megumi NODA, Toshiya KODAMA
    2017 Volume 27 Issue 1 Pages 1_23-32
    Published: 2017
    Released on J-STAGE: June 28, 2018
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS

      Education regarding the environment incorporating studies that enable children to personally experience forests is an effective method of achieving environment-related education objectives in Japan. However, there are not many study examples that focus on educating children about the environment by giving them the opportunity to experience nature in a forest. Additionally, when studying about the environment, not enough attention has been devoted to transforming and sustaining children’s awareness of the environment in the medium-to long-term. The objective of this research is to measure the transition of environmental awareness and to what level it is sustained by utilizing environmental education that subjects children to personally experiencing a forest in the medium-to long-term. The study focused on a year-long environmental education activity performed during an integrated studies course involving fifth-grade children. A 21-question awareness survey related to the objectives of environmental education and the integrated studies course was given several times in order to measure the level of awareness attained and retention of the information. The questionnaire was given before and after the activity, as well as one year after the activity as a follow-up. As a result, for one question regarding sensitivity to the natural environment, two questions regarding awareness of the natural environment, and two questions regarding overall comprehension, respondents displayed increased awareness after the activity when compared with the results taken before the activity. This increased awareness lasted for at least one year after the activity. However, for four questions regarding sensitivity to the natural environment, one question regarding awareness of the natural environment, and one question regarding overall comprehension, the increased awareness displayed by respondents disappeared one year after the activity based on the before-and-after survey results. Taking into account the results of the surveys, it is clear that some objectives of the environmental studies education utilizing a forest experience and integrated studies course were achieved and sustainable.

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