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Creating a mural at the Nanbu Town Center with children
Get PDFThis paper is a practical record of the creation of a mural in Kumamoto City, and an exploration of issues based on that practice. In 2024, a mural was painted at the Nanbu Town Center in Kumamoto City. The project involved the participation of many local residents. Approximately 300 people participated. The production was commissioned to the Matsunaga Laboratory at Kumamoto University. The project was carried out mainly by local children, with the participation of local residents. The original artwork was created by collecting words and drawings by children on the theme of "Me and the Future of Kumamoto," from which the content and design were extracted. The original artwork was revised many times and finalized after numerous meetings with local residents. To create an image, the artist walked around the area with university students and identified the elements of the illustration. The mural was created in November. The project took place over two days in favorable weather. However, preparations and final revisions required several additional days. In conclusion, we realized that the most important point was that the mural creation strengthened the bonds between the people of the neighborhood. This wonderful mural, painted by the people themselves, will remain in the neighborhood for decades to come. It will become a symbol of the neighborhood and will likely continue to inspire everyone. One challenge would be to have more artists and organizations who are happy to take on this kind of artistic work. If there were more artists and leaders in each area who could help citizens unleash the power of art, more citizens would be able to incorporate art activities into their daily lives. We need to think about the role of art. We want residents to feel well-being through art.departmental bulletin pape
A study on physical activity levels during elementary school educational activities
Get PDFWith societal modernization, children’s sedentary behavior has increased, posing health risks such as obesity, reduced fitness, and behavioral problems. The WHO Guidelines on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour (2020) and Japanese national health policies emphasize reducing sedentary time and promoting physical activity. This study examined physical activity levels among elementary school children during regular educational activities. Thirty-two sixth-grade students (17 boys, 15 girls) from an elementary school in K City, K Prefecture, participated. Physical activity was assessed across 26 school days between September 2024 and February 2025 using a Lifecorder GS/Me accelerometer. Results indicated that sedentary behavior dominated in subjects such as Japanese, mathematics, and social studies, whereas science, music, art, and physical education promoted more movement. Interruptions of sitting, even brief ones, increased energy expenditure and steps. These findings suggest that integrating movement into sedentary subjects and utilizing recess effectively may reduce sitting time and enhance children’s physical activity at school.departmental bulletin pape
Characteristics of teaching materials, learning context, and “questions” : Using the example of “Diversity and Evolution of Living Things” in junior high school science
Get PDFThe relationship between the characteristics of teaching materials, learning context, and questions was investigated in the study of evolution in junior high school science. The analysis of textbooks and lesson plans revealed the following: 1. The basic elements of the teaching materials design were the evolution of organisms over geological time, characteristics of vertebrate animals, evidence of evolution, the evolution of organisms and their environment, and the diversity and evolution of organisms. 2. Evolution was learned by relating multiple scientific perspectives in the context of identifying and recognizing evolutionary evidence for its occurrence. 3. The central problem was the question of “how did it evolve?” regarding the evolutionary process, and to answer this question, questions about evidence of evolution and specific organisms were presented.departmental bulletin pape
On the creation of a “Dinosaur Mural” on Koshiki Island- Community collaboration and “learning” through art-
Get PDFThis paper is a consideration of art activities in community collaboration on Koshiki Island, Kagoshima Prefecture. It analyzes what was learned during the activity. A dinosaur museum is being built on Koshiki Island, where dinosaur bones have been excavated. We created a mural related to this. Through interactions with the people on the island, the creators shared the joy of art creation and the joy of the local people through collaborative efforts with the local community. Through the activities of overcoming the typhoon disaster together, painting together, eating together, and sharing, we considered the significance of creating a mural. The creation was not something that was given one-way, but rather it was a two-way exchange of what could be done through the creation, and we were able to create it together and rejoice together. We learned that art can bring joy to both parties. The people on the small island did the best they could. Even though we received no compensation, we left behind a sense of happiness and took it home with us. We are in an age of social change brought about by digital transformation (DX). If there is a concept called Mind Transformation (MX), then happiness can be experienced through a change in people's minds. I believe that art is one element of this. Art is fascinating. I have learned that there are things that art can do. This paper draws conclusions about the change in people's minds and the forms of art that bring happiness to one's heart.departmental bulletin pape
The development of Non-Cognitive Qualities Scale of middle school students
Get PDFThe present study aimed to develop a comprehensive and component-specific scale to assess "non-cognitive qualities," especially those relating to "learning motivation and personal character," which are considered essential in the context of school education. Additionally, the research sought to clarify how these non-cognitive qualities develop over the course of middle school education.
The study was conducted with 294 students from the 1st to 3rd grades of a public middle school, utilizing the "Non-Cognitive Qualities Scale" and a "Learning and School Life Survey."
As a result of the analysis, ten factors were initially yielded as elements of non-cognitive qualities. However, based on item content, eight factors were ultimately identified as valid indicators. Among these, "self-regulated learning skills" "collaborative skills" "peer relationships" "self-esteem" "authenticity" and "intrinsic motivation" appeared to be cultivated through positive school experiences and instructional strategies employed by teachers. In contrast, "perseverance" and "future-oriented goals" emerged as traits that may not demonstrate immediate impact from teachers' methods alone, indicating a need for a longer-term developmental approach.departmental bulletin pape
Parents' Wishes for the Care of Their Severely Mentally and Physically Disabled Children After Their Passing and Their Thoughts on Support from Siblings.
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Talcott Parsons’ Liberal Monolingualism and the Age of “We” : On Language and Integration of the American Societal Community
Get PDFThis study examines Talcott Parsonsʼ liberalism within the American sociohistorical context, focusing on his methodologicalnationalist view of language. Parsons viewed the American ideal as essential for societal integration, yet in the 1970s, amid the rise of ethnic revival and bilingual education in the United States, he argued that multilingual societies often face integration challenges. This monolingual perspective stems from his belief that members of the American societal community, defined by citizenship, must share English as a common civic-cultural code. Rooted in civic-nationalist liberal monolingualism rather than ethno-national conservatism, Parsonsʼ theory aligned with Progressive liberalism, which promoted a “We” society during the first two-thirds of the twentieth century, facilitating immigrantsʼ assimilation. Parsonsʼ monolingualism thus reflected the assimilationist ideals of “Americanization.” The integrated societal community he envisioned was essentially a “national society,” linking his monolingualism to the nationalist ideology of “one nation, one country, one language.” However, with globalization making multilingualism a given, social theory now requires a “multilingual turn.” Meanwhile, liberal sociology, continuing Parsonsʼ legacy, must seek a “We” in todayʼs divided society by addressing the social facts of everyday life rather than an idealistic “ultimate reality” and coordinating interests.departmental bulletin pape
Justification of Autonomy and Paternalism in the COVID-19 Pandemic Outbreak : Quest ‘Solidarity’ for an Alternative
Get PDFThe current article claims that it is ineffective to expect that some basic principles ー such as liberty, autonomy, and free choice ー can work in a pandemic situation. In a pandemic outbreak, therefore, the widely discussed strategies of lockdown, quarantine, social distancing, and self-isolation can cause us to revisit the principles of autonomy and paternalism. Quarantine, self-isolation, social distancing, and lockdown are precautions for controlling pandemic outbreaks. Within this context, the current article claims that paternalism has more importance than autonomy as a social decision-making process. One positive aspect of paternalism, in the short term, is that it can effectively prevent national and global threats and coordinate people, governments, and health departments. However, this situation may encourage the state to support paternalism as an acceptable long-term public health policy strategy. But, this is also true, the long-term practice of paternalism, however, cannot benefit our social, political, and democratic ideals. Suppose the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak continues with its prevailing form and character, in that case, many of our social beliefs and values, service concepts of state management, and conventional notions of people’s rights and freedom will be shattered. This article, thus investigates autonomy and paternalism has become unsuccessful in such a tricky situation. In response to this problem, we may approach what the following question: What kind of moral principle should we adopt as an alternative to deal with the emerging situation? This article aims to explore the ethical ideology that is useful and consistent in a pandemic due to the failure of these two moral theories. In responding to this problem, we have referred to ‘solidarity’ as the alternative to interpret the problem.departmental bulletin pape
