Development of the 'Standard Educational Materials List.' Audiovisual Instructional Materials. AVE in Japan No. 30.

The Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science in Japan revised its standards for educational materials to be provided in schools and promulgated a new "Standard Educational Materials List" on March 17, 1991. This manual provides information about the new list first in Japanese and then in an English language version. The new list outlines the standard types and quantities of educational and instructional materials deemed necessary in effecting the new course of study at the compulsory education level. It presents these goals and serves as a guide for each school to follow in complying with the new course of study based upon its own needs while reinforcing its own unique, educational program. The newly revised standards have two objectives: to broaden and strengthen each school's freedom of choice in the selection of educational materials, and to provide an improved basis for the acquisition of educational materials when implementing the new course of study or as new materials become available. The current revision of the course of study places a great deal of emphasis upon classes in Morals and special items, including 16mm movies, video software, and other resources have been specifically designated for these classes. Newly designed materials on the list as a whole include compact discs and disc players, video equipment, videodiscs and players, and overhead video projectors. Word processors have been added to increase teachers' efficiency in developing instructional materials. Also included are a wide variety of other items, including fish tanks, ring toss games, wall maps, instruments, circular table saws, and spotlight systems. Some items have been deleted from the former list, while others have been consolidated. A list of common educational materials for elementary and junior high schools is presented in tabular format as well as materials for teaching morals at the same levels. (DB)