by Kiyonobu Itakura (Author), Haruhiko Funahashi (Editor)
Hypothesis-Experiment (Kasetsu) Class is, in its simplest terms, a class designed so that students can learn 'basic, universal scientific rules and concepts' in an enjoyable way. This method was made by Dr. Kiyonobu Itakura. The first part of this book presents the philosophy behind Kasetsu Hypothesis-Experiment classes and Classbooks (Jugyosho). The second part includes English versions of four of the HEC Classbooks. Teachers are encouraged to find ways of allowing students' own curiosity and thinking to guide their discovery of scientific ideas.
Author Biography
Itakura Kiyonobu was a Japanese researcher who specialized in the history of science, pedagogy, and the history of science education. His eminent career included serving as Director of the National Institute of Education. After completing a PhD in Physics at the University of Tokyo, he joined the National Institute of Education where, in 1963, he proposed the Hypothesis-Experiment Class (Kasetsu) model centered on "problems, expectations, discussions and experiments," with the aim of improving science education in schools. Funahashi Haruhiko is Professor at the Center for the Promotion of Excellence in Higher Education, Kyoto University. His areas of specialization include fundamental physics and physics education. He received his PhD in Science (Physics) from Kyoto University, and his research interests include neutron interferometry, the Hypothesis-Experiment Class, HEC Classbooks, and introductory science education.