Analysis of Factors Influencing Elective Course Selection and Exploration of Strategies to Revitalize Elective Courses in High School Home Economics: Insights from Focus Group Interviews with Home Economics Teachers

Abstract

As the implementation of the high school credit system and the 2022 revised curriculum approaches, it is crucial to explore specific directions for the future of home economics elective courses. Therefore, this study aims to draw implications for the direction of home economics elective courses by identifying factors that influence high school students’ choices, with a focus on insights from home economics teachers. Furthermore, we aim to investigate strategies that can be used to encourage students to choose home economics elective courses. To accomplish the objectives of this study, we analyzed previous research on course selection factors and conducted focus group interviews (FGI) with seven home economics teachers. As a result, we identified a total of 20 factors that influence students' selection of the home economics elective courses, including "personal preference for the subject", "personal excellence in the subject", "recommendations from friends or seniors", "recommendations from parents", and "recommendations from homeroom teachers". A total of 22 strategies to promote the selection for home economics elective courses were identified through the FGI and presented across different levels: (1) support from home economics teachers and students, (2) the home economics and academic society, and (3) within the school. The findings of this study can serve as foundational research for analyzing the preference of high school students when selecting home economics elective courses. It can also provide a basis for exploring ways to revitalize the selection of newly introduced home economics elective courses in the 2022 revised curriculum, suggesting insights for the development of future home economics curriculum and elective courses.