Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
The importance of fi eld research is demonstrated by its inclusion in the National
Curriculum Standards, which stipulates its implementation in geographical educa-
tion from elementary to senior high school. The curriculum emphasizes fi eld
research, with mastery of conducting fi eld investigation. Despite its inclusion in the
national guidelines, Shinohara (
2001
) pointed out that fi eld research is not popular
in schools. Teachers of Geography and History, and Social Studies fail to fully
understand the importance of fi eld research. In this paper, the author presents the
current landscape of fi eld research from elementary to junior high and high school
levels. In the process, tasks for outdoor fi eld research are examined, its signifi cance
in schools explained, and suggestions are made to revitalize its favor in schools.
Although fi eld research involves a variety of indoor activities such as literature
research, statistical analysis, and the collection and analysis of maps, the core of this
research is fi eldwork, characterized by observations that include all sensory input.
Thus, the term “fi eld research” tends to be used synonymously with fi eldwork.
Distinguishing the two, however, the author focuses here on fi eld research, espe-
cially on fi eldwork. In the world of geography education, fi eldwork tends to include
activities such as fi eld trips and excursions,
2
in which a director or guide plays a key
role (Inui
2009
). Therefore, this paper also groups these activities as fi eldwork.
7.2
The Reality of Field Research in Elementary, Junior
High, and Senior High Schools
7.2.1
Elementary School
Among the Social Studies classes taught in elementary school, fi eld research was
ranked the most important within community study for third and fourth grade
students. The new National Curriculum Standards ask students to “observe and
investigate social events through the study of a local area, a municipality and a
prefecture, to cultivate the ability to use maps and a variety of concrete materials
effectively”. This includes thinking about the characteristics of social events within
a community and their associations, and communicating the results of students'
independent investigations (MEXT
2008
a). Together, these indicate that implemen-
tation of fi eld research is strongly called for in community study.
A relatively large number of elementary schools conduct fi eld research in the
third and fourth grades. For instance, a 1992 questionnaire survey of third and fourth
grade teachers across 152 elementary schools in Kagawa Prefecture found that fi eld
research, on average, took place more than 3.5 times annually, and only four schools
(3 %) failed to conduct any fi eld research (Shinohara
2001
).
Machi
-
tanken
(town
expedition), which studies a community or municipality, was the most popular type
2
Excursion refers to an activity in which participants visit a local place with a tour guide to observe
its geographic phenomena.
