Development of a cross-disciplinary constitutional learning program in junior high school social studies using ICT

Abstract

A nation's constitution is of prime importance to its people as it sets out the fundamental principles a government must adhere to, as well as outlining the rights it must grant its people. A constitution's guarantee of human rights makes it essential for preserving liberty and, as such, it is important that society is informed about the constitution and the rights it affords them. That is why educational institutions should familiarise students with their respective nation's constitution. Dr Hiroyuki Okuno, Doshisha University, Japan, champions the development and implementation of new ways of teaching the Japanese constitution to students. He is developing a cross-disciplinary learning programme for junior high school students called the Constitutional Learning Programme that teaches the constitution using social studies that utilise ICT. His goal is to spark within students an active interest in the constitution and encourage them to play a role in the constitution in terms of expressing opinions and thinking deeply about liberty and human rights. The programme's format is flipped learning, with students acquiring knowledge ahead of time and later deepenging this understanding through interaction with peers and teachers. The use of e-learning is key here as Okuno wants students to learn at their own pace and believes this is facilitated by this style of learning, enabling students to take home ideas learned in the classroom and better familiarise themselves with these concepts independently.