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GIS and Geography Education in Japan

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Geography Education in Japan

Part of the book series: International Perspectives in Geography ((IPG,volume 3))

Abstract

Geographic Information System (GIS) has been included for the first time in Japan’s revised National Curriculum Standards. What is required to implement GIS in Japanese geography education? How do teachers use GIS to meet the aims set out in the National Curriculum Standards? The National Curriculum Standards place great importance on GIS in senior high school geography classes, requiring that students use this technology throughout their geography education to develop relevant skills in geography. GIS is actively included in the new National Curriculum Standards for senior high schools, more so than in other subjects (such as Information classes in senior high school, Social Studies in junior high school, and others). However, the teaching of GIS is not fully implemented because many problems exist. For example, teachers need to recognize the value of GIS in imparting geographic skills and they need to be part of a community that shares best teaching methods and lesson plans. An environment that enriches geography teaching through GIS use is of great importance.

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Correspondence to Tomoaki Ito .

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Ito, T. (2015). GIS and Geography Education in Japan. In: Ida, Y., Yuda, M., Shimura, T., Ike, S., Ohnishi, K., Oshima, H. (eds) Geography Education in Japan. International Perspectives in Geography, vol 3. Springer, Tokyo. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-54953-6_14

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