久留米大学における導入教育「共通演習」の成果と課題

Abstract

This paper examines the outcomes and issues of freshman seminars at Kurume University, which were started in 2005 as a course in the regular class curriculum. The course aimed to develop students' learning skills and attitudes. In the spring semester of 2005, 890 students registered for the course. They were divided into 40 classes, with one teacher per class. Every teacher taught his/her class using the same textbook and in accordance with a common syllabus. The teachers were encouraged to use cooperative learning techniques in their classes. A total of 845 students earned credit for the course. Thirty-two students who failed the course in the spring semester repeated the course in fall semester in 2005, and 11 of these students received credit. Judging from the comments on the course and evaluation of the course, most students rated the content and learning techniques employed in the course highly. However, the teachers had some concerns about the content, teaching techniques, grouping methods, and classroom management. These problems are discussed in detail from the viewpoint of cooperation in education.