-
Organization for the Advancement of Higher Education, Humanities and Social Sciences Education Center
- Professor
- Yoko MAEKAWA
- Research Field
Foreign Language Education, Educational Psychology
- Keyword(s)
Language Learning Motivation, Ideal-self, SDT, WTC, CLIL, ESP
- Research theme
-
- Changes of language learning motivation through CLIL class
- Peer communication in active learning classrooms
- Effective English Instruction for Science and Engineering Students
Outline of research activities
In this globalized world, English is crucial as international language. Students majoirng in science and engineering field expecially need to learn English related to their major and future career actively.
Therefore, I study and practice Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) class, which aims to let students visualize necessary English in their own major or future career, caltivate their cognitive skills, and raise their motivation. I also research effective Egnlish instruction that science and engineering students can learn English logically.- Desired cooperation
-
- English instruction caltivating active learning
- English instruction that is required in business and society
-
Organization for the Advancement of Higher Education, Humanities and Social Sciences Education Center
- Associate professor
- Linglin YANG
- Research Field
Modern and Contemporary Chinese Literature Chinese Science Fiction
- Keyword(s)
Chinese Literature,Shen Congwen,Chinese Science Fiction
- Research theme
-
- Utopia in Sinophone Science Fiction
- Aspects and Transformations of Literary Ideals in Modern and Contemporary Chinese Literature
- A Research on the Possibilities of Incorporating Literary Approaches in Chinese Language Education
Outline of research activities
My field of expertise is modern and contemporary Chinese literature, with a current focus on science fiction (SF) literature in the Chinese-speaking world. SF literature is often perceived as a product of imagination detached from reality, but in reality, it contains deep connections with society and often functions as a critical reflection of it. In my research, I place more emphasis on the ‘S’ (Science/Society) aspect, that is, the scientific and social imagination, rather than the ‘F’ (Fiction) aspect in SF works.
The main focus of my current research is the representation of utopias and dystopias in SF literature from mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. The genre of SF, while inheriting the lineage of utopian literature, presents various concepts of future societies against the backdrop of rapid scientific and technological advancements and social changes since modern times.
The imagined societies constructed in these works are not merely fantasies; they often contain critiques of dystopian realities in the present world and aspirations toward alternative social orders. Therefore, through Chinese-language SF literature, my research aims to explore the critical imagination of the challenges faced by contemporary society and the possibilities of human society in the future. This is the core of my research.

- Desired cooperation
-
- Comparative Literary Study of East Asian Literature (Especially SF and Utopian Literature)
- Research on Modern and Contemporary Chinese Intellectual History and Social Thought
- Practical Research on Chinese Language Education and Intercultural Understanding Education Using Literary Works
-
Organization for the Advancement of Higher Education, Humanities and Social Sciences Education Center
- Associate professor
- Miho HAYASHI
- Research Field
Modern Japanese history, environmental education, archival studies
- Keyword(s)
Pollution museum, collaboration, ESD, public history, modern family
- Research theme
-
- Inheriting a difficult past
- Regeneration of polluted areas
- Pollution museum network
Outline of research activities
The difficult past was a catastrophic event that led to “mass death,” and the damage was felt not only by the dead but also by the survivors. This applies to wars, pollution damage, isolation policies for Hansen’s disease, pollution damage, etc. Furthermore, because such damage involves a complex relationship between perpetrators and victims, the “interpretation = meaning” of the event is likely to be divided depending on one’s position, making it difficult to pass on experiences. Based on the concepts of collaboration and ESD, I create spaces for dialogue, practice public history, and deepen my research on the inheritance of difficult past experiences.
- Desired cooperation
-
- Partnership for ESD and SDGs
- Passing down pollution experiences and tourism
-
Organization for the Advancement of Higher Education, Humanities and Social Sciences Education Center
- Associate professor
- Yosuke ARAI
- Research Field
Social Psychology, Group Dynamics, Organizational Behavior, Psychological Measurement
- Keyword(s)
Hierarchy, Leadership, Followership, Skill Transfer, Tacit Knowledge, Scale Development, Data Analysis, Support for Students with Disabilities
- Research theme
-
- Interaction between leadership and followership within groups
- Skill transfer and sharing of tacit knowledge in organizations
- Development and application of psychological scales using questionnaire surveys, etc.
Outline of research activities
My research focuses on understanding how people build relationships within groups and organizations, and how these relationships are maintained and transmitted over time, from the perspective of social psychology.
I have examined the structure of behaviors in Sempai-Kohai(senior–junior) relationships in university clubs and extracurricular groups, exploring how hierarchical relationships are formed based on different criteria, and how these relationships shape individuals’ behaviors and emotions. In addition, I have investigated how group formality—defined as the degree of clearly structured roles and rules—and patterns of interpersonal relationships influence both individual behaviors and group functioning.
More recently, I have studied skill transfer processes in non-profit organizations, analyzing how leadership skills and knowledge are passed on. In particular, I highlight the importance of sharing tacit knowledge, such as experiential know-how and interpersonal networks, which are difficult to formalize.
My research employs quantitative data analysis using questionnaire and interview methods, as well as the development of psychological scales, with an emphasis on capturing real-world issues in a measurable form.
In the future, building on my experience in supporting students with disabilities, I aim to explore issues related to disability acceptance, career development, and support systems, and to contribute to the development of practical support strategies in collaboration with educational institutions and local communities.- Desired cooperation
-
- Research on human resource development and leadership in organizations
- Development of systems for skill transfer and knowledge sharing in workplaces and communities
- Support for questionnaire design, data analysis, and psychological scale development
- Collaborative research on student support and career development, particularly support for students with disabilities
-
Organization for the Advancement of Higher Education, Humanities and Social Sciences Education Center
- Lecturer
- Ken-ichi NISHIKAWA
- Research Field
English Language Education, Second Language Acquisition, Learning Support
- Keyword(s)
SLA, EAP/ESP, Foreign Language Learning/Teaching, Motivation, student-oriented
- Research theme
-
- Enhancing reading skills
- Effective use of media such as music in language classroom
- Foreign language education in the univerity program
- Student-oriented English Language Education
Outline of research activities
I have wide experience in teaching English in several types of schools such as junior high and high schools, including a correspondence course high school, and a university. So, in the field of English Language Education, I am interested in how to improve English language skills of EFL learners at each stage of language learning and lead them to be self-disciplined learners from the viewpoint of SLA.
In one case, learners at the higher education, e.g. university students, are required to read several literatures in order to gather information or knowledge on their interest. Some literatures may be written in Japanese, but in most cases, they are written in other languages, including English. I am investigating some possible aspects related to their effective reading, such as formal instruction, vocabulary building, background knowledge etc., and would like to identify aspects effective to reading for information gathering. These aspects may vary according to learner characteristics. In another case, I am performing studies of effective use of media such as music and movie in the language classroom.
Moreover, I would like to investigate the potentiality of BASIC English, which was “discovered” by Charles Kay Ogden, and develop educational materials for EFL/ESL Learners based on Ogden’s idea shown in BASIC English. BASIC English is a simplified and organized English brought up by Charles Kay Ogden as an international auxiliary language, and as an aid for teaching English as a second language. I think his idea is still very significant even today.- Desired cooperation
-
- Active Reading
- Effective use of media such as music in language classroom
- Cases of organization of learning(or study) support in the university
-
Organization for the Advancement of Higher Education, Humanities and Social Sciences Education Center
- Assistant professor
- Fumina KAWAI
- Research Field
Dance education(Physical education, and physical and health education-related)
- Keyword(s)
Movement in dace,Physical expression
- Research theme
-
- Images and movements in dance
- Teaching methods that elicited physical expression.
Outline of research activities
I am studying the images and movements of the learners in dance, and the teaching methods that elicited physical expression.
I am studying the image and movement in dance, such as what kind of image the learner perceives and what kind of movement appears,toward the realization of creative physical expression.
I would like to develop learning and teaching methods through exercise and sports, including dance.- Desired cooperation
-
- Research on dance education
- Practical research on expression activities
-
Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education, Center for Teaching License Support
- Professor
- Nobuyuki TAKAHASHI
- Research Field
Inquiry-based learning, informatics education, science education
- Keyword(s)
Inquiry, Informatics, Science, STEAM, ICT Utilization
- Research theme
-
- Teaching and Learning Strategies for Inquiry-based learning.
- Measurement and development of programming thinking skills.
- Development of teaching materials for Inquiry-based learning.
Outline of research activities
Teaching learning strategies that allow students to learn inquiringly in cooperation with their peers are attracting attention, as a learning activity that fosters 21st century academic ability, such as comprehensive inquiry time and inquiry activities for each subject that are included in the Course of Study and implemented at each school. In addition, the GIGA School Concept requires the use of ICT in such learning activities.
I am conducting research on effective teaching and learning strategies based on practical examples of inquiry-based learning, which is an educational activity required in such an era. In particular, practical training is emphasized in the Department of Informatics, and the development of learning materials and the accumulation of teaching plans are awaited so that students can acquire “information theory”, “information ethics”, “programming thinking ability”, and “practical ability to utilize information” by learning independently using ICT. Takahashi Laboratory has developed such teaching materials, analyzed practical cases, and conducted research on methods to measure the qualities and abilities of students, which is the basis for verifying their effectiveness.- Desired cooperation
-
- Research and development of ICT-based information learning materials
- Research on apps and teaching materials that cultivate programming thinking skills
- Joint development of STEAM learning materials for learning through manufacturing
-
Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education, Center for Teaching License Support
- Professor
- Tetsuya AKAZAKI
- Research Field
Subject pedagogy
- Keyword(s)
science education, teacher training
- Research theme
-
- Teaching methods in science
- Research on teaching materials
- How to train teachers to be able to objectively reflect on themselves
Outline of research activities
We are researching the nature of science education, such as student-led lesson development and creative questioning, to nurture children who love science and teachers who can truly enjoy science classes.
- Desired cooperation
-
- Teaching methods in science
- Research on teaching materials
-
Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education, Center for Teaching License Support
- Professor
- Yoshihiro FUJIMOTO
- Research Field
Science Teaching、Educational Technology、Teacher Education
- Keyword(s)
Science、Lesson Study、Course of Study
- Research theme
-
- Lesson study based on the viewpoint of revision of new course of study
- Lesson design development and evaluation by collaborative learning support system
- Development of a learning program that fosters students' self-regulation ability by using self-regulated learning theory and OPPA theory
Outline of research activities
〇 Researches on science classes aimed at fostering the qualities and abilities required for children to create society of the future, to face society and the world, to engage with each other, to open up their own lives, and to teachers I am doing research on training.
〇 I am conducting research on development and evaluation of science class lessons by active learning.
〇 I am developing and researching collaborative learning support system that utilizes software and each tablet computer that supports collaborative learning..
- Desired cooperation
-
- Empirical research on science education
- Empirical research on educational technology
- Study on teacher education
-
Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education, Center for Teaching License Support
- Associate professor
- Hiroto FUKUDA
- Research Field
Mathematics Education, Statistics Education
- Keyword(s)
Curriculum, Teaching Unit (Substantial Learning Environment), Modeling
- Research theme
-
- Developmental principles for statistics education curriculum
- Comparison between Japan and New Zealand in statistics education
- Development of teaching unit in statistics education
Outline of research activities
The current society has been the era of the information-oriented society more and more. In addition, humankind is being confronted with a lot of serious issues, especially environmental problems. That’s why they have to try to solve them with the data processing and make decisions. In this sense, it is statistics education that is most important area in mathematics education in order for students to acquire literacy on the data processing and decision-making.
Hence, I focused on the development of statistics education. The objective of my research is to transform from calculus-centered mathematics education curriculum into statistics-centered one. The research methods for achieving this are to analyze and develop the curriculum. About the former, I am comparing Japan with New Zealand because Japan has to cope with globalization and internationalization from now such as New Zealand which has already had much experience on them. About the latter, I selected teaching unit (substantial learning environment) as the theoretical framework which shuttles and integrates between scholarly knowledge and craft knowledge (see Wittmann(2001)’s Figure).

- Desired cooperation
-
- Interdisciplinary research to inquire mathematics education and statistics education in the future from the viewpoint of a great variety of disciplines (e.g., didactics, informatics, philosophy and so on)
-
Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education, Center for Museum Curator Certification Support
- Lecturer
- Kazunori MISAKA
- Research Field
Archeology, Museology
- Keyword(s)
Northeast Asia, Japanese archipelago, Korean peninsula, Jomon period, Yayoi period, Neolithic period, Bronze age, Pottery-making techniques, Rice farming, Museum, 3D measurement
- Research theme
-
- Archaeological research on early agricultural cultures in Northeast Asia
- 3D measurement of cultural properties
- Museum curator qualification systems in Japan and Korea
Outline of research activities
[Archaeological research on early agricultural cultures in Northeast Asia]
Cultivation of rice and millet began in China in prehistoric times, and then spread to the Japanese archipelago via the Korean Peninsula. The immigration of people with agricultural techniques such as paddy fields, fields, and irrigation not only spread farming, but also changed the traditional culture of each region. We focus on the subtle differences in pottery-making techniques and research the process of migration, agricultural spread, and cultural change at the time.
[3D measurement of cultural properties]
We are researching cultural properties such as archaeological materials and museum materials using 3D measurement such as photogrammetry and X-ray CT.
[Museum curator qualification systems in Japan and Korea]
Through a comparison of museum curators and qualification systems in Japan and Korea, We are thinking about their characteristics and social and cultural backgrounds.- Desired cooperation
-
- 3D measurement of cultural properties
-
Student Support Division, Global Center
- Associate professor
- Itsue TANAGAWA
- Research Field
Japanese Language Education, Instructional Design
- Keyword(s)
Motivation in Learning, International Baccalaureate, Japanese Language Teacher Training
- Research theme
-
- Classroom design to motivate learning
- Improving Teaching Practices Through Reflection
- Qualities and abilities required of Japanese language teachers
Outline of research activities
It is said that an increase in motivation to learn leads to effective learning in various situations, including the acquisition of a foreign language. Particularly in foreign language learning, the environment and learning experiences are closely related to learning motivation. I aim to clarify what kinds of learning experiences lead to high motivation for learning and to construct a framework for effective classes.
I am also doing research on how to incorporate reflection into teacher training programs and professional development for foreign language teachers. This will enable them to improve their own teaching practices through self-reflection and reflection with others.
- Desired cooperation
-
- Classroom design to motivate learning
- Reflection and Improvement of Teaching Practices
- Qualities and abilities required of Japanese language teachers
-
Student Support Division, Global Center
- Lecturer
- Mitsuhiro KIMURA
- Research Field
Mathematics Education, Educational Sociology
- Keyword(s)
Mathematics Education, Educational Sociology
- Research theme
-
- Learning Mathematics in Students Second Language
- Effects of ICT in Highschool classroom
- IB (International Baccalaureate) teacher's regognition
Outline of research activities
I am currently conducting research on the effects of the International Baccalaureate (IB) education that is spreading in Japan.
1. I am conducting research on the effects and challenges of the IB in the context of the increasing number of high schools where students are learning mathematics in English.
2. I am conducting research on the effects and challenges of ICT utilization, which is emphasized in the IB.
3. I am conducting research on how high school teachers will change as a result of the implementation of the IB.
We are interested in how to apply the suggestions obtained from the implementation of the IB to schools in general.
- Desired cooperation
-
- Research on cross-curricular learning
- Research on inquiry-based learning
- International volunteer work, etc.
-
Organization for Research and Community Collaboration, The Institute of Viticulture and Enology
- Professor
- Akihiro KANEKO
- Research Field
Brewing , Applied Microbiology, Functional food
- Keyword(s)
Wine, Yeast, Brewing, Functional food
- Research theme
-
- Research into alcoholic beverages.
- Beneficial effects of wine polyphenols.
Outline of research activities
We aim to contribute to the development of the wine industries and education, through our research.
Research and invstigation into wine, Japanese sake, fruits and functional foods. Invesigation of volatile compaounds in wine and its produvtion mechanisms. Especially, advanced analysis and evaluation of wine.Wine has favorable and characteristic flavor. We indentify the characteristic compounds in wine and investigate their production mechanisms.
Wine have multiple health functionalities since it is a fermented material. We investigate the health functionality of wine and fermented foods in vitro.And, we investigate the health functinalities of functinal components fermented foods.

- Desired cooperation
-
- Brewing , Microbiology
-
Organization for Research and Community Collaboration, Institute of Paleontology and Geochronology
- Tokume professor
- Shinobu ISHIGAKI
- Research Field
Paleontology, Geology, Ichnology, Museology
- Keyword(s)
Paleontology, Dinosaur, Footprint, Behavior, Kinematics, Museum
- Research theme
-
- Posture, kinematics and social life of dinosaur
- Dinosaur behavior analysis based on the facts of Paleoichnology
- Taphonomy of dinosaur footprints
- Museum exhibits and audience research in the Museum
Outline of research activities
Footprints are important clue for understanding dinosaur social life and their kinematics. I investigate footprints of the Lower to Upper Jurassic of Morocco, and Upper Cretaceous of Mongolia.
In 2013, Okayama University of Science and Mongolian Academy of Science on paleontological research and education. We execute joint expedition and multidisciplinary study on dinosaur and dinosaur bearing beds in the Gobi Desert.
I also study local fossils of Okayama, and visitor behavior in paleontological exhibit of the museum.
Phogtograph: Parallel trackways of middle-sized Carnivorous dinosaur in the Gobi Desert. These trackways indicate the gregarious behavior of dinosaur.- Desired cooperation
-
- Comparison of dinosaur social behavior with extant analogues.
- 3D Digital technique for recording dinosaur footprints
- Develop the dinosaur exhibits using digital devices
-
Organization for Research and Community Collaboration, Research Center for Architectural history and culture
- Specially appointed professor
- Tsuguto EZURA
- Research Field
History of Japanese Architecture, Prervation and Repair of Cultural Assets, Preservaation of Historic Districts
- Keyword(s)
Historic district and cultural landscape conservation, World Heritage, Ecomuseum
- Research theme
-
- Study on the early modern to modern temples and shrines and residential architectures
- Study on historic districts and villages (Entrusted researches by municipalities)
- Study on securing engineers and materials for repairing architectures of cultural assets
- Study of residential architectures overseas
Outline of research activities
In order to revitalize the rcommunities, many municipalities with declining populations are making efforts to utilize the “history” and “culture” of the region for community development and tourism. However, first of all, it is necessary to academically clarify what are the characteristics of history and culture of the region, and to think of effective ways to use them. The center conducts measurement surveys of historical buildings and townscapes to study the value of cultural assets and methods of utilization, and reports and makes proposals to prefectures and municipalities. We are also promoting research on the utilization of cultural assets at an academic level with the aim of contributing to the local communities, we are training and educating human resources with the ability of “cultural thinking ability” which means to see and think about things from a new point of view with understanding of coexistance and interdependency included in the concept of culture based on the understanding of what is culture. Overseas, we are transferring this technology and training engineers in the Philippines, Bhutan, Fiji, etc., making use of our original restoration method based on surveys of traces.

- Desired cooperation
-
- Survey Commission for Designation and Registration of Historic Buildings
- Technical guidance and general supervision in cultural asset buildings' repair work
- Consignment of townscape preservation surveys and explanations to local residents
- Training project related to protection of cultural properties, etc.





