Research on the elucidation of the developmental process of critical thinking in science and its training

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K13979
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 09040:Education on school subjects and primary/secondary education-related
• Research Institution: Fukuyama City University
• Principal Investigator: YAMANAKA SHINGO 福山市立大学, 教育学部, 准教授 (10845465)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 批判的思考 / 理科教育 / 発達過程 / 初等教育段階 / 中等教育段階 / 質問紙調査 / 指導法

Outline of Final Research Achievements

First, in this study, we constructed a scale of critical thinking attitudes based on the three aspects of critical thinking in science at the elementary and secondary school levels, and clarified the developmental process of critical thinking using the developed scale. Secondly, based on the above findings, we aimed to devise a teaching method for each developmental stage.
As for the former, we were able to clarify a part of the critical thinking process in science through a questionnaire survey in elementary and senior high schools. Regarding the latter, we devised a teaching method that incorporates elements of STEAM education in elementary schools, and a teaching method in high schools that encourages students to discuss the contradictions between experimental results and what they have already learned.

Free Research Field

教科教育学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

我が国の理科教育における批判的思考の発達過程に着眼し，その実態把握や指導法開発を行った研究は，管見の限りこれまで見受けられなかった。本研究では小学校第６学年および高等学校第１学年への質問紙調査を通してそれぞれの発達段階の特徴を明らかにするとともに，一定の成果のある指導法を考案することができた。今後，本研究で明らかとなった批判的思考の発達過程の知見を踏まえることで，理科における批判的思考力育成のための系統的な指導法開発が期待できる点において，本研究は学術的意義や社会的意義があるといえる。