Development of the Teaching Material Using a Tablet Device for Learning the Concept of Watersheds

Abstract

Due to topographical and meteorological features, floods and landslides occur frequently in Japan. Therefore, disaster prevention education is essential. When considering natural disasters such as floods, it is important to learn the concept of watersheds. In this study, we developed the teaching material using a tablet device that enables students to learn the concept of watersheds by extending their learning about the action of running water in elementary schools. A three dimensional (3D) topographical map is displayed on the screen of the tablet device, and when a student touches the screen, a ball that looks like rainwater falls at the touched point. After the ball falls, it rolls over the topographic map, drawing a trajectory. In two learning modes, students learn by repeatedly observing the ball’s path. In the basic learning mode, they learn about the basic properties of running water. In the developmental learning mode, they learn about watershed concepts and disaster prevention. This paper describes the development of two learning modes and a trial verification of the basic learning mode.