島根大学演習林の多様な教育的利用のためのアンケート調査報告

In order to comprehend the needs in the local community for use of the Shimane University Forests for educational purposes, a survey was made by questionnaire. The questionnaire was sent out to 290 elementary schools and 115 junior high schools in Shimane prefecture. 170 answers were received from 99 elementary schools and 57 answers were received from 37 junior high schools. It was more schools than expected.
The elementary schools do not consider it necessary to educate pupils on processing technology of timber. They do not consider it necessary either to have the pupils experience forest management, forestry, and timber industry as vocation. Many answers indicated that, although the schools wish to teach about forests through observations, experiments or experiences, they find it difficult because of limited time and budget as well as difficulty in locating the places to implement it. It was considered necessary to provide both elementary and junior high school teachers with training in this area. Some hopes were indicated for use of results from the university research works. On the other hand, it was indicated also that the schools can not understand their contents specifically.