Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 7
The Current State and Issues of Field
Research in Japanese Geographic Education
Shunsuke Ike
Abstract
The National Curriculum Standards emphasizes fi eld research outside
the classroom. Yet the number of teachers who actually engage their students in this
activity has declined considerably because it takes too much time to prepare and plan.
The author argues that two actions are needed to raise the implementation rate of fi eld
research in classrooms. The fi rst approach is to be clear about the value of that research
to learning, which cannot be replaced by classroom teaching. Second, prior to taking
on a teaching job, teachers need to experience and learn the best practices to introduce,
and to strengthen the link between fi eld research and geography content.
Keywords
Field research • Geographic characteristics • Geographical skills •
Local area
7.1
Introduction
“Geography is a study of the outdoors,” a statement espoused by my former teacher
and written on a blackboard in my fi rst geography class at senior high school.
Geography is based on outdoor activities and fi eld research, although research topics
are diverse.
1
Geography is a fi eld science that values outdoor research activities as a
form of investigation. Therefore, undergraduate and graduate education has invested
substantial time and energy in the cultivation of skills necessary for conducting fi eld
research outside the classroom. The Association of Japanese Geographers estab-
lished the accreditation system of “Field Researcher” and “Field Research Specialist,”
endeavoring to train specialists who engage in fi eld research.
1
Inquiry survey often occupies an important place in human geography, whereas observation is
highly valued in physical geography. There are many levels of inquiry survey, ranging from simple
research in which investigator collect data according to the fi xed questions to advance research
with a task of comparative culture, requiring researchers to view themselves objectively as repre-
sented in Ohno's study (
1974
).
