School planning methods for providing small and distributed learning environments in a shrinking society

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K06662
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Town planning/Architectural planning
• Research Institution: Tokyo Denki University
• Principal Investigator: Itoh Shunsuke 東京電機大学, システムデザイン工学部, 教授 (50339082)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 垣野 義典 東京理科大学, 理工学部建築学科, 准教授 (60385523) ; 倉斗 綾子 千葉工業大学, 創造工学部, 准教授 (80381458)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: 小規模校 / 統廃合 / 学校連携 / 複式学級 / 余裕教室 / 離島留学

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This project explored methods to maintain and operate small schools in local communities from an architectural planning perspective. Case studies on municipalities' strategies, use of facilities and classrooms in small schools were conducted. Creating characteristic programs to attract children and operating multiple schools as networks were common policies in maintaining small schools. It was revealed through classroom observations that in small schools differentiated teaching was common practice taking advantage of the school size. This resulted in flexible use of the classroom. Surplus classrooms were utilized, indicating teachers need spaces other than the classroom for teaching if available. Findings were synthesized to discuss architectural and spatial planning concepts appropriate for small schools. This is not only applicable to small schools but also serves as a model of future classrooms to accommodate more flexible teaching.

Free Research Field

建築計画

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

学校計画においては、適正規模を目指して小規模校を統廃合するアプローチが主流であるが、これにより地域コミュニティが衰退し教育環境の空白が生じる。これに代わるものとして積極的に小規模校を維持するアプローチをとり、そのための手法を整理し具体的な可能性を提示したことが本研究の第一の意義である。また、多角的に小規模校を調査・分析したことで小規模校の計画に対する総合的な知見が得られたことや、一般的にデメリットが強調されることが多い小規模校が、個別的・柔軟な教育を提供できる環境として学校の将来像への示唆に富むことを示した点でも社会的意義がある。