A Trial of Evaluation in Science Classes (1)

We have tried a new evaluation effective for both pupils and teachers in the science classes in a unit of earth science in the junior high school, which were conducted by two teaches in a classroom (i.e. team-teaching). The evaluation consists of achievement in each class and general estimation. In the evaluation, we have scarcely reflected achievement level of each class on the general estimation. At first, we set up an achievement standard of each class over the unit. Factors of the standard are learning attitude, scientifically-thinking, presentation and knowledge. Teachers have measured an achievement level of each pupil in every class under those standard, aiming to catch exactly pupil's situation of learning and to support and encourage them actually. The general estimation has been done through a couple of a better written test and a scientific performance test in the final stage of the unit, focusing mainly on pupil's abilities newly acquired in the unit. Pupils could take kindly to having the performance test, but many pupils have negative opinion to the question particularly on scientifically-thinking. It means that pupils still tend to regard main characteristics of science learning as memorization

A Development and Practical Evaluation of the Teaching MaterialsAiming at Enhancing Students' Scientific Thinking Ability : With Special Reference to the Interconnection BetweenWeather Observation Results and Weather Information

This study intends to develop and evaluate the teaching materials for the earth science education aiming at enhancing students' scientific thinking ability. The materials are designed for students to perform activities considering the interconnection between weather observation results and weather information. The activities include the experiments by using two simulation models which are contrived by students themselves. The result showed that the teaching materials now developed produced positive effects on enhancing students' scientific thinking ability

Relationship between Topography and Geology : A Study on Teaching Material for Developing the Concept of Time and Space in Science Education

In science education, it is important for students to understand the concept of time and space. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the teaching material developing the concept of time and space at a junior high school. The material is mainly composed of topographic and geologic maps for understanding the relationship between topography and geology through the sedimentary process comprising partly material cycling on the earth

A Science Class Designed for Heightening the Ability of Communication (1)

We have designed a science class for improving the pupils' communication ability. In the class, we gave the pupils chances to join a scientific fair for elementary school children, organized by the Hiroshima Children's Museum. The pupils acted as instructors, and we encouraged them to communicate with children, such as question, answer and explanation, as much as possible. Through the activities, the pupils were able to realize the problems in their scientific knowledge, and they were able to enhance the ability of communication as well as that of thinking scientifically. Many children who joined the fair were impressed that the pupils were nice and familiar teachers for them

Research of Environment education materials applied with environment sensor data : Blended with online movies and sensor data

環境学習の重要性が高まる中, 教科書の内容だけではない, 体験的な理解を促すことが求められている。気象センサーのデータを活用した教育を効果的に行うための課題の洗い出しを行った。その結果, 気象を主とした環境教育においては, 授業での実験や観察が現状では困難でイメージがつかみにくいこと, 時間変化と空間分布の両面を学ぶ必要があること, 気象現象は地域特性が大きく教科書の内容を自らの経験と重ね合わせることが難しいこと, などの課題が得られた。 この課題を解決するために, センサーネットワークによって収集される気象データの活用とともに, それをより効果的にするための, 動画素材を用いた視点の提供の検討をおこなった。これによって, 単なる暗記ではない, 事象の関連付けの訓練が実現できることが期待される