Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 18.2
Survey on students and teachers' attitudes across
three subjects (percent)
If I study this
subject, I will be
able to think of
ways to make
society better as one
of its members.
Studying this subject
will be useful in my
everyday life and my
life in society.
Studying this subject is
important.
agree
disagree
agree
disagree
agree
disagree
World History
53.0
40.1
35.1
56.1
40.9
48.2
Japanese History
60.3
33.7
38.4
53.4
44.8
44.1
Geography
68.8
26.0
65.1
29.0
50.8
29.4
Source
: National Institute for Educational Policy Research (
2007
)
Geography and History teachers were asked whether they were conducting
“lessons that incorporated problem-solving learning,” “lessons that incorporated
developmental issues,” and “lessons that made use of computers.” The highest num-
ber of affi rmative answers for all questions was for Geography. The results indicate
that Geography teachers apply their expertise and use the largest variety of instruc-
tional methods to transmit knowledge.
Students' value of geography is also revealed in the survey. Senior high school
students were asked to rank their attitudes towards studying by selecting one of the
following responses: “agree”, “somewhat agree”, “somewhat disagree”, “disagree”,
and “not sure” (Table
18.2
). The results indicate that students who study Geography have
a sense of its usefulness and refl ect teachers' demonstration of geography expertise.
Although students do not rate the study of History very highly in terms of useful-
ness in their everyday life and their life in society, they do feel that history is impor-
tant to help them improve society. In contrast, students believe that studying
Geography is more useful in their own daily life and in society than it is in helping
them improve society. Although Geography is recognized as offering knowledge and
skills that are useful in daily life, it is diffi cult to persuade students to translate these
into fostering citizenship, which is one objective of Social Studies education.
This survey affi rms that geography education supports the development of
responsible citizenship in students. Once students graduate from junior high school,
they should recognize this as a goal of Geography. However, not all students under-
stand the importance of citizenship. Therefore, fi nding a solution to this from the
objective of Social Studies education is one of the greatest challenges facing geog-
raphy education.
18.2.3
The Relationship Between Geography Education
and History Education
For a long time, senior high school teachers taught geography under the Social
Studies umbrella, without focusing on any one subject in particular. However, with
the 1978 revision of the National Curriculum Standards, contemporary Social
