Education Curriculum Development: Perspectives, Challenges and Future Directions (Education in a Competitive and Globalizing World)

This book first reviews the process of music curriculum reform in different stages marked by the various versions of the National Standardized Music Syllabi. Particularly, the authors focus on the values of the new music curriculum and how they lead to quality education. A study is presented examining: students' perceptions of creativity and creativity education, their perceptions of learning creativity in school music lessons, and their attitudes toward creative music and arts activities carried out in the school music curriculum. Continuing, the authors explore the idea that the Japanese school curriculum system that was established after the war within the paradigm of internationalisation is facing difficulties due to the progress of globalisation. This compilation also examines international students´ learning experiences in Finnish comprehensive school through a study based on the observation portfolios of 23 international student teachers during the first term of their undergraduate studies in Finland. The pedagogical aspects of health are addressed, specifically how to shape nutritional habits of elementary school students and how to systematically deepen the knowledge about healthy nutrition through the implementation of nutrition education programs.