New trends in physics teaching, v.4; The ... - unesdoc - Unesco

Japan
ing of basic concepts, fundamental principles and laws in each field and provide an opportunity
to master scientific thought and methods on the basis of ‘Science 1’. These subjects are all selective.
Some students do not take them at all, and some choose one or two according to their future
courses. Today, the number of students who want to learn physics is decreasing gradually. This
is a serious tendency from the viewpoint of physics education.
Teaching of energy in ‘Science I’
Energy is one of the most important concepts considered in ‘Science I’, and it is closely related
to all areas of the course. As already mentioned, the course is intended to develop students’
ability to consider natural phenomena in a unified way, so that the aim to make students understand
nature in connection with energy is undoubtedly appropriate. The areas which relate
mostly to the teaching of energy are ‘Force and energy’, ‘The balance of natural world’, and
‘Human beings and nature’.
Teaching in the area