Education is the main factor of economic growth in a country, and the curriculum is the heart of any education system. This study focuses on the key roles of education and its relation to economic development as well as the curriculum as a core part of the entire educational drive of nations. In particular, the present study compares the…

The last two decades have seen unprecedented interest in science curricula, with many governments seeing improvements in the performance of their school students in science as key to future economic prosperity. We present the results of an analysis of the curriculum documents for primary and secondary science in Australia (New South Wales and…

We examine the distinction between teaching and teachers as it relates to instructional improvement. Drawing from work outside of education on improvement systems and from analyzing the Japanese system of lesson study, we contend that a focus on teaching can shape a coordinated system for improvement whereas a focus on teachers, common in the…

This study examined demotivational factors among Iranian and Japanese college teachers of English. To achieve the purpose, the study used a 35-item questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. The results were compared with the similar study in Japan by Sugino (2010). The findings of the study revealed that Iranian and Japanese lecturers are much…

Papers from the proceedings of the 14th Annual Conference of the Bulgarian Comparative Education Society was submitted in two volumes. Volume 1 contains papers submitted at the conference held in Sofia, Bulgaria, June 14-17, 2016. Volume 2 contains papers submitted at the 4th International Partner Conference of the International Research Centre…

These are exciting and challenging times for English language curriculum development for school-age learners. The global reach of English has spurred a rethinking of its role in education and, consequently, a rethinking of how to teach it. The accounts in this volume represent differences in educational systems, language teaching traditions,…

Information on curriculum content, development, presentation, and evaluation in 10 countries is reviewed in this report. Reference materials were gathered from Japan, China, Thailand, Norway, Sweden, France, England and Wales, Scotland, Canada, and the United States. The materials from each country provide an understanding of the aims and…

Discusses how the upper secondary science curriculum in Japan has been revised, and reasons for this revision. Describes the objectives and content of the new curriculum. (MLH)

In revising their kindergarten curriculum, Japanese educators have adapted Western ideas of creativity and expression. Explains that this is especially visible in the goal of "expression" in the current kindergarten curriculum. Provides details on the new curriculum's aims, specifically in relation to the use of Japanese paper and…

This discussion of comparative international geographical education describes a three-phase educational typology based on political, economic, and cultural characteristics; man-land relationships; and geography as an academic discipline. A country's choice of educational emphasis reflects its prevailing political and social values. (AM)

The article presents cross-cultural comparisons of movement purposes and objectives of the Purpose Process Curriculum Framework as viewed by teacher educators in England, Japan, and the United States. Although respondents from each country rated purposes differently, all respondents considered circulo-respiratory efficiency and joy of movement to…

Papers from the Hiroshima/Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development Meeting of Experts on Higher Education and from the March l981 Seminar on Innovations in Higher Education in Comparative Perspective are presented. In January, representatives from Sweden, the United Kingdom, Austria, the United States, and Japan met to discuss and…

This study was intended to promote discussion between business leaders and educators in Alberta (Canada) on the quality of Alberta's education system and its relation to the province's economic competitiveness. The study offers an objective comparison of materials used in grades 7 to 12 to teach mathematics, physics, and chemistry in Japan,…

Compares results of the Barth Shermis Social Studies Preference Scale given to groups of preservice teachers in five countries over several years. Reports that social studies has evolved through three patterns of teaching citizenship education: citizenship transmission, social science, and reflective inquiry. Concludes that teachers are confused…

The collaborative curriculum development process in a postsecondary language education program in Japan is described, looking specifically at the work of five curriculum development teams, or focus groups: needs assessment; curriculum aims, goals, and objectives; cognitive development and learner strategies; materials development; and learner…