Directions for Character Education in Science Education and a Theoretical Approach of Nature-Study in Terms of Character Education

Abstract

This research aims to find directions for character education in science education and to analyze Nature-Study theoretically as one of the ways to implement character education in science education. In order to accomplish this, references for character education were collected and analyzed to derive the directions for character education in science education, and then the results were verified by expert workshops composed of 2 science education experts and 4 PhD students. Through the consideration of references for Nature-Study in terms of character education, we supposed to confirm that Nature-Study is an efficient way to implement character education in science education. The research resulted in the following: First, science education should establish it’s own role in character education by expanding the domains of value and realizing practice-centered character education. Accordingly, ‘Expanded model of character education (The domains of the value)’ was developed on the basis of ‘formation of relationships’ with ‘nature & environment, spiritual object’ and ‘The practice-centered character manifested mechanism’ empathized ‘formation of relationships’ and ‘practice’ was also diagramed. Second, Nature-Study empathized ‘Science Education through Nature’ can be one of the efficient ways to implement character education in science education. Nature-Study corresponds with the directions of character education in science education because Nature-Study aims for character education in it’s educational purpose and emphasizes ‘formation of relationships’ with ‘nature & environment’ and ‘practice’ in the real world. In conclusion, science education should establish it’s own role in character education by expanding the domains of value and realizing the practice-centered character education and Nature-Study is efficient ways to implement character education in science education.