[Obunsha Co., Ltd.] [FY2024] Survey on the actual state of ICT usage in high schools nationwide ~ Demands that will change with the “elimination of the coronavirus” and the required “comfort for users” ~
*View in browser* *Obunsha Co., Ltd.*
Press release: February 8, 2024
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[FY2024] Survey on the current status of ICT usage in high schools nationwide ~ Demands that will change with the “elimination of the coronavirus” and the “comfort for users” required ~
Obunsha Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Hideki Kumekawa), an educational publishing company, conducted a survey regarding the current status of the introduction and utilization of ICT devices and services in high schools. This year’s survey, which is in its eighth year, collected responses from a total of 751 high schools nationwide. We received many specific opinions and examples regarding the actual state of ICT utilization in the school environment that has changed due to the “elimination of the coronavirus.”
Based on the results of this survey, Obunsha will work to provide educational ICT services tailored to the actual circumstances of each high school and provide support for its utilization.
* [Survey implementation guidelines] *
Survey theme: Survey on the status of ICT usage in high schools nationwide Purpose of the research: To investigate the actual status of the introduction of ICT equipment and the utilization of ICT-related services in high schools.
Understand the challenges for expanding implementation and continued operation and the content of services that will be needed in the future
Survey target: 5,008 national, public, and private high schools nationwide based on Obunsha’s own list
*Includes secondary schools/excluding technical colleges and technical colleges Survey method: Send survey DM to target schools and receive responses on the web page
Survey scale Analysis of survey responses from all 751 schools Survey period: Early December 2023 to early January 2024
Survey publication date: February 6, 2024
* [Summary of survey results] *
* ■Of the high schools that have introduced student terminals, 84.9% have installed one device per student, and the quality of the school network is also in question*
Regarding the ICT terminals for students introduced in high schools, mobile types that are easy to use both inside and outside of the classroom are highly popular, mainly tablet types (71.2%), as the wireless network environment in schools progresses. I am getting. More than 80% of the deployments involve “one device per person,” and the expansion of ICT infrastructure in high schools shows no signs of slowing down.
Regarding the status of the school’s network environment, the percentage of respondents who said “Wireless networks can be used anywhere in the school” (47.1%) was the highest for the first time compared to surveys conducted before 2023. However, over 40% of respondents still cited “improving the network environment” (44.5%) as an issue regarding device utilization, and there remain issues with communication quality, such as “not being able to withstand simultaneous use.”
* ■Is the “freedom” in time and effort given to users the key to solving the human issues that emerge during the ICT utilization phase?*
While improvements are being made in terms of hardware, the most common challenges faced in using ICT are the aptitude and ability of users, such as “teacher’s utilization skills” (83.8%) and
“students’ information morale” (67.6%). accounted for.
As the ICT infrastructure deployed in schools enters the utilization phase, there are problems with human resources, such as “not enough specialized personnel and time for training” and “the burden is concentrated on some teachers.” has become more apparent, and there is a need to create environments and organizations that allow users to use ICT with peace of mind.
* ■Information and exploration fields are becoming more and more responsive, and the demand for ICT utilization is changing with the evolution and spread of coronavirus and AI technology*
In a survey exploring the necessity of utilizing ICT, a high response rate was for “Information/Exploration Classes” (64.6%), which was added as an option this year. In particular, ICT devices and services will be useful for providing guidance on “Information I,” which will be added to the exam subjects starting with the 2025 Common Test. On the other hand, there was also a trend that symbolizes the “elimination of the coronavirus”, with the response rate for “online distance learning” (43.3%), which had been in high demand during the coronavirus pandemic, dropping significantly from last year. A new movement is emerging to incorporate cutting-edge technology in educational settings, such as “AI tools are being used in school affairs” and “the topic of generative AI has been covered in class.”
* 【Investigation result】*
* ■70% of ICT devices introduced in high schools are tablet devices -Figure 1-* A survey of ICT devices introduced and used in high schools nationwide found that “PC terminals for students (tablet type)” (71.2%) and “PC terminals for students (desktop type)” (34.6%) -Almost twice as many as “PC terminals for students (notebook type)” (38.1%), which was similar to the trend in the 2023 survey.
Tablet-type terminals seem to be popular because they can be used in a wide variety of ways, such as carrying them around and using them for research studies inside and outside of school, while also being able to enter text using an external keyboard if necessary.
■* Use of “one device per person” ICT terminal becoming mainstream in high schools -Figure 2-*
More than 80% of schools that have introduced mobile ICT devices for students responded that they would deploy one device per student (84.9%), and it is expected that these devices will continue to become mainstream.
* ■Challenges in school network environment/ICT infrastructure development -Figure 3-*
In a survey on the state of network environment development in high schools, 47.1% said “Wireless networks can be used anywhere in the school” and 36.8% said “Wireless networks can be used in regular classrooms within the school.” This is the highest number ever, reversing the trend up to 2023.
* [Example of answer comments] Issues regarding the school ICT environment* ・“Difficulty connecting to the network, causing problems with online classes, etc.” (Saga Prefecture/Public)
・“Although there is a wireless LAN environment, it cannot be used simultaneously by the entire school, so future expansion is
necessary.” (Tokyo / Public)
・”We introduced Wi-Fi dedicated terminals for students, but we need to take measures as some families do not have a Wi-Fi environment.” (Ehime Prefecture/Public)
・”Due to the lack of electrical outlets in classrooms, we are unable to respond if multiple students run out of charge on their devices during class.” (Aichi Prefecture/Public)
・“There are issues with device management, such as students not bringing their devices or charging them.” (Niigata Prefecture/Private)
* ■Human issues that emerge during the ICT utilization phase -Figure 4-* In an awareness survey regarding issues in the use of ICT, the highest proportion of respondents cited human issues, such as “improving teachers’ utilization skills” (83.8%) and “improving students’ information morale” (67.6%). I did.
As the development of devices and environments progresses and we enter the ICT utilization phase, problems regarding the skills and morals of the “users” are becoming apparent. There were many opinions calling for enhanced human support, such as dispatching experts to support the use of ICT and training for teachers.
On the other hand, the percentage of high schools that cited “improving the network environment” (44.5%) as an issue has decreased slightly from last year, and further improvements in communication quality are desired in the future.
In addition, as the use of terminals increases, issues such as improving charging facilities and responding to terminal malfunctions have become issues that cannot be overlooked.
* [Example of answer comments] Challenges in utilizing ICT*
・“I want specialized teachers and instructors to be assigned” (Shizuoka Prefecture/Public) (Tottori Prefecture/Private) and 6 others ・“Due to the absence of specialized staff, it is becoming difficult to work at the site.” (Shizuoka Prefecture/Public)
・”I don’t have time to self-train on ICT usage because other school duties have not decreased” (Chiba Prefecture/Public)
・”Students do not follow instructions and use it for video sites, games, manga, etc.” (Okayama Prefecture/Public)
・“Improving awareness of using it as a learning device rather than an entertainment device” (Nagasaki Prefecture/Public)
* ■ Significance of utilizing ICT to transform with “eliminating the coronavirus” and “AI technology” -Figure 5-*
In a survey on points where people felt the need for ICT, “reducing the burden of school administration” (78.2%) and “making teaching materials paperless” (74.3%) remained high percentages from last year. You can see the expectations for this.
Demand for online remote classes (43.3%), which had increased in demand due to the coronavirus pandemic, decreased by more than 10 points compared to the 2023 survey, indicating a change in the environment after the coronavirus has returned to normal classroom classes. This is the result.
In addition, there is a strong demand for “Information/Exploration Lessons” (64.6%), which was added to the options from this year’s survey, and many people said that the use of ICT is essential for learning situations such as research, analysis, and presentations. I was seen.
There also seems to be a move to incorporate cutting-edge technology, such as “using AI tools to compile surveys” and “using generative AI as a subject for classes.”
We received a wide range of examples of how it can be used outside of class, such as club activities, committee meetings, career guidance, university entrance exams, and information sharing with parents.
* [Example of answer comments] Points that make you feel the need for ICT and how to use it*
・”Applications for further education information/entrance exams, etc., disclosure of school results to students” (Tottori Prefecture/Private) ・“Reducing the time spent writing on the board by projecting slides onto tablets and giving explanations to ensure students have more time to think” (Aomori Prefecture/Public)
・“Used for in-school announcements and mutual evaluation during comprehensive inquiry time” (Chiba Prefecture/Public)
・“We had a discussion about the use of generative AI in the
information department class” (Oita Prefecture/Public)
・“AI text mining was used to visually capture the contents of the questionnaire” (Miyagi Prefecture/Public)
・“Information sharing between schools, students, and parents (information transmission/collection)” (Okayama Prefecture/Public)
*DX：Digital
Abbreviation for Transformation. Bringing about qualitative changes in organizational structure and style while improving business processes through the use of digital technology. Digitalization is expected to solve social issues in various fields.
* ■[Summary] Issues to improve awareness and value of ICT utilization* In the awareness survey regarding the usage status of ICT devices, the total percentage of respondents who answered “I am using it enough” (13.1%) and “I am using it fairly well” (62.0%) was 3/4 of the total, which is in line with last year’s trend. It became almost the same. -Figure 6-
Now that most high schools are equipped with one terminal per student, the question is how to reduce the burden and resistance to operating the terminals and ensure “comfort on the part of users,” including human sufficiency. This has become an issue. -Figure 2-
In order to overcome these challenges and further increase the percentage of respondents who say they are using cutting-edge technology, it is important to not only properly allocate personnel and create an organization, but also to look at examples of schools that are making progress in using cutting-edge technology. It seems necessary to share the information and take initiatives that show concrete results.
Based on the results of this survey, Obunsha will work to reduce the burden of traditional school administration while enhancing services that allow teachers to experience the effects of using them, as well as holding seminars to share practical examples of various ICT applications. We will continue to take steps to support educational opportunities, such as holding such events.
*Past fiscal year survey results can be viewed on the Obunsha website. (2017 edition) https://www.obunsha.co.jp/news/detail/459
(2018 edition) https://www.obunsha.co.jp/news/detail/509
(2019 edition) https://www.obunsha.co.jp/news/detail/548
(2020 edition) https://www.obunsha.co.jp/news/detail/586
(2021 edition) https://www.obunsha.co.jp/news/detail/643
(2022 edition) https://www.obunsha.co.jp/news/detail/701
(2023 edition) https://www.obunsha.co.jp/news/detail/760
* ■Introduction of educational ICT services for schools provided by Obunsha* -English Vocabulary Master Program “Tangosta! for English Vocabulary Target/Eiken Deru Jun Pass”-
“Tangosta” is an ICT utilization service developed to support English vocabulary learning. Equipped with content from the English vocabulary collection “English Vocabulary Target” and “Eiken Deru Jun Pass Single” series, which are used as teaching materials by many high schools, allowing students to acquire English vocabulary by improving learning efficiency and making it a habit. This will reduce the burden on teachers by automating confirmation tests and evaluation
management.
As the development of ICT environments in schools has progressed, high schools across the country are increasingly introducing it. We have received positive feedback, with comments such as “The range of tests that can be conducted, including make-up exams for individual students, has expanded.” ●Official website URL:
https://www.obunsha.co.jp/pr/tangosta
* – “Entrance Exam Correct Answer Digital” where you can find the questions you want – *
“Entrance Exam Correct Answer Digital for
“School” is a web application that allows you to search for past university entrance exam questions published in the book “National University Entrance Exam Questions Correct Answers” published by Obunsha. The search function reduces the burden of searching for problem content from a huge amount of book information, and can be useful for practicing entrance exam questions, creating handouts for use in class, and researching past questions. In addition, questions, answers, and explanation data can be downloaded in Word file format. Currently, 10 subjects including English, mathematics, Japanese, physics, chemistry, biology, Japanese history, world history, geography, politics/economics, and up to 9 years’ worth are listed. We sell two plans, “All Subjects Set Plan” and “Subject Plan,” which you can choose according to your school’s purpose of use.
●Official website URL: https://kakomon.obunsha.co.jp/lp
* 【Company Profile】*
* People who learn are people who change. *
Find out for yourself not only the problems in front of you, but also the questions of life and the issues of society.
People learn in order to continue to take on challenges.
Through learning, we can change the world little by little.
Towards a world where anyone can learn anytime, anywhere.
We will continue to support those who learn.
* Obunsha brand site URL: * * https://www.obunsha.co.jp/pr/change/*
Company name: Obunsha Co., Ltd.
Representative: Hideki Kumekawa, President and Representative Director Established: October 1, 1931
Head Office: 55 Yokoderamachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8680 / TEL: 03-3266-6400 Business content: Comprehensive publishing and business focused on education and information
URL: https://www.obunsha.co.jp/
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