京都府立鳥羽高等学校

Dec. 8 (Sat)

The first grade Global Course students today continued working on their group research projects by first going over the results of their summer fieldwork and discussing how to proceed with their research. Some groups talked about what books or Internet resources they could make use of, while others planned to do questionnaires of other Toba students. The students will be presenting their research projects in February.

Dec. 7 (Fri)

Today the ten students participating in the SGH Research Trip to Taiwan took part in an internship at Kataoka Manufacturing. The company president, Mr. Kataoka Koji, explained the company outline and policies, then the students toured the factory. During the question and answer session, the students asked questions about their research projects. Some of the questions they asked included, "What kind of skills do we need to work in the global economy?" and "How are you able to recruit enough qualified employees?"

Dec. 8 (Sat)

In today's Innovation Studies II class, the second grade Global Course student groups began working on their research paper projects by going over the feedback from their poster session presentations on November 15th. Today's class was also an open lesson, and was attended by parents and guardians who observed the students progress.

Nov. 29 (Thu)

Today in the sixth period long homeroom, the seven second grade students who participated in last month's SGH Research Trip to Shanghai gave a report to the second grade Sports Course students. The event was part of the Sport Course's preparations for the School Excursion to Shanghai, which will take place from December 11 to the 14th. The Sports Course students listened intently and asked many questions to try and get a picture of the coming Excursion.

Nov. 23 (Fri)

Today 21 second grade Global Course students attended a research conference on work and study run by the Kyoto Association of Small and Medium-sized Business (SMB). In addition to the managers of SMBs in Kyoto, the conference was also attended by students from the University of Fukuchiyama, Kyoto Prefectural University, and Kyoto Koka Women's University. The attendees discussed the various problems facing SMBs and some ideas for possible solutions. Several of the students were able to get information to use in their Innovation Studies research projects.

Nov. 20 (Tue)

This evening, the explanatory meeting for parents and guardians of the ten students taking part in the SGH Taiwan Research Trip was held. After a greeting by the vice-principal, the teachers who will be conducting the trip gave an overview of the itinerary. Finally, a representative of the travel agency discussed insurance and other matters. The students felt that the trip is just around the corner.

Nov. 15 (Thu)

Today the SGH Research Project Conference was held at Toba High School. The conference was attended by guests from the Ministry of Education, the Board of Education, stakeholders from local universities and business, as well as other high school teachers from around Japan.

In the morning, demonstration lessons were held in Global Communication I and II, Social Intelligence, and Landscapes of Kyoto and the World. In the afternoon, the second grade Global Course students gave a poster session on their research projects. The poster session was attended by foreign exchange students from local universities, who asked questions and gave the students feedback along with the other guests. In addition, the first grade Global Course students, who will be doing the same kind of poster presentations next year, also attended.

Nov. 14 (Tue)

Second grade Global Course students took part in fieldwork at the nearby Toji Temple today. With the leaves turning beautiful autumn colors, the students were able to see with their own eyes the historical buildings from the Heian Era which appear in their history textbooks. They could enjoy the solemn atmosphere, as well as discover the importance of appreciating historical sites which they pass everyday on the way to school.

Nov. 10 (Sat)

Today five exchange students from Kyoto University and Kyoto Institute of Technology visited our school to take part in an exchange program. The students were from the U.S., Indonesia, Germany, France, and Mongolia. Twenty-five Toba students took part.

As homework, the Toba students had researched about different aspects of each students' country, including traditional culture, sports, sightseeing spots, and so on. In small groups, the students introduced what they had found out in English, and discussed each topic with the exchange students. The exchange students were fascinated to learn what aspects of their culture which Japanese students found surprising or interesting.

Later, Toba students introduced traditional children's games and played with the exchange students while enjoying sweets. It was a fun way to learn about each other and have a cultural exchange.

Nov. 10 (Sat)

Today the first grade Global Course students continued working on their research projects. The students went over their research plans and talked about how to integrate the graphs and reference data based on what they learned in the Social Intelligence class and the information they got from the Kyoto Prefectural Library.

Nov. 9 (Fri)

In a meeting following their four day trip to Shanghai, the students shared the results of their research and discussed it with each other. Among their insights were that it is important to have tolerance and appreciation of different cultures, and that foreign languages other than English are needed to be active in global society.

The students will be presenting their findings from the trip at the next Open School day.

Nov. 3 (Sat)

On the final day of the Trip, the students did field work in the Xintiandi area of Shanghai. This area is the site of the former French Concession Settlement and many buildings from that era still remain. On the field work, the students were joined by the two Fudan University students who had attended Toba's Global Summit in July.

In the afternoon, the students headed to the airport and returned to Kyoto on schedule at 11PM. It was a very meaningful and worthwhile research trip.

Nov. 3 (Sat)

Two students from the first grade Global Course participated in a special conference titled "Future Session about Study and Work." The conference was organized by The Consortium of Universities in Kyoto and held at Campus Plaza. Along with other high school students, university students, and company employees, they participated in small group discussions about the themes of "Work" and "Study." Both students later asked questions of the moderators as representatives of their groups.

It was a good opportunity for the students to think about their studies and future course in life.

Nov. 2 (Fri)

In the morning the students participated in an internship at the local branch office of Kataoka Manufacturing. They learned about the company's activities in the Chinese market and discussed their research projects with the local employees.

In the afternoon, they visited another Japanese company, where they learned about the company's business. One student commented that after talking with people working overseas, "I feel like I want to try and work in a foreign country, too." Both visits were good opportunities for the students to learn about being global leaders.

Nov. 1 (Thu)

This morning the students visited Nanxiang Old Street, where they saw canals and buildings which are over one thousand years old. They also visited Guyi Garden, a classical Chinese garden.

In the afternoon, the students visited Shanghai Jiading No.1 High School, where the students gave presentations in English. They introduced Toba High School and explained about their research projects. After the presentations, they enjoyed doing a cultural exchange with the Shanghai students.

Oct. 31 (Wed)

Today the students arrived in Shanghai for the first day of the SGH Shanghai Study Trip. They visited the local office of JETRO, where they heard a briefing about the Chinese economy and Japanese companies operating in China, including the Kyoto-based electrical bus maker BYD. The students were able to ask questions in relation to their research project on small and medium-sized enterprises.

Oct. 27 (Sat)

Today, the second grade Global Course students held a rehearsal for the Poster Session to be held on Nov. 15 at the SGH Research Project Presentation. Prof. Shindo, who gave a workshop for the students this summer on Academic Writing, joined the rehearsal along with ten TAs from Osaka University. They gave students advice on how to improve the research projects and poster sessions.

Oct. 27 (Sat)

Today, the first grade Global Course students participated in a workshop run by Associate Professor Mr. Sugioka and Teaching Assistant Mr. Iiyama from the University of Fukuchiyama. The theme of the workshop was "Presentation skills to inspire your listeners."

The students learned important skills for giving effecting presentations, including refining the content, gestures, and using simple but clear language. The students will use these skills when they give presentations on their research projects later in the year.

Oct. 23 (Tue)

Today, 32 students and three teachers from Chupei High School in Taiwan visited Toba High School and took part in an all-day exchange program. Second grade class 2-1, the Sports Course, hosted the Opening Ceremony, The Chupei students gave a presentation about their school and also performed a song. Class 2-1 students gave a presentation introducing Toba, then they held a small group exchange. Each group prepared a traditional game or activity to introduce to the Taiwanese students.

In the second period, the group participated in Class 2-2 English lesson, then they had lunch with the other second grade homerooms. In the afternoon, the Taiwan students had the chance to participate in club activities with the Sports Course students.

It was a fun and meaningful exchange program. Thank you to Chupei High School for visiting!

Oct. 22 (Mon)

Today, the second preparatory meeting for the SGH Taiwan Study Trip was held. The students discussed what they found out about Kataoka Manufacturing, the company at which they will participate in an internship.

Over the next couple of weeks, they will work on their research projects and presentations for the trip.