Teaching the Effectiveness of Integrated Studies and Social Engagement: A Case Study on SDG Education in Depopulated Areas in Japan

Abstract

From the 2020 academic year, new courses of study were introduced in Japan, and the necessity of SDG education was newly specified in them. Therefore, in this study, Miyagi Prefectural Shiroishi High School was selected as a case study as it is conducting community-based SDG education in the Tohoku region, which has problems with sustainability, and the educational effects and changes in awareness before and after SDG education were examined. The purpose of this study is to analyze examples of SDG education practice at Miyagi Prefectural Shiroishi High School based on a case analysis of educational practices related to SDGs that clarifies what changes have been introduced to teachers and students via SDG education, and we suggest activities that are beneficial to both teachers and students. The survey was conducted in a questionnaire format before and after SDG education, and a five-point scale was used to confirm the significance of the change. As a result of SDG education, students became interested in social issues in collaboration with local governments, companies, and schools, and teachers were able to cover specialized content that was difficult without any stakeholders.