By Ken Y-N ( October 12, 2012 at 23:55)
· Filed under Internet, Polls, Society
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A recent survey from goo Research, conducted in conjunction with the primary school children-oriented site Kids goo, looked at primary school teachers’ work, and in particular their use of IT, information technology.
Demographics
The sample came from primary school teachers registered with the goo Research online monitor group, and 206 people responded to the survey. Further details, including basic information like when the survey was conducted, was not reported.
Although the sample is quite small, note that it was targeted at elementary school teachers, so the accuracy is perhaps better than a quick look at the numbers would suggest.
I don’t know how computers are used in schools, really, but I do worry that replacing concrete, tangible activities with computer-based ones (if that, indeed, is what is going on) is detrimental to children’s development.
Research results
Q1: What sources do you use for preparing lessons? (Sample size=206, multiple answer)
| Books |
91.7% |
| Internet |
80.1% |
| Practical lessons |
44.2% |
| Newspapers |
31.6% |
| Television, video |
18.9% |
| Other |
3.9% |
Q2: Do you feel a gap between your and your pupils’ computer skills? (Sample size=206)
| Pupils are ahead by a wide margin |
32.0% |
| Not much gap, but pupils are more skilled |
24.3% |
| No gap |
43.7% |
Q3: Which of the following computer skills do you have? (Sample size=206, multiple answer)
| Can use mail efficiently |
86.9% |
| Can answer questions from students |
77.7% |
| Can teach them about online morals |
62.1% |
| Can respond to computer problems during lessons |
61.2% |
| Other |
1.9% |
Q4: Have you ever had a pupil or parent, guardian discuss internet issues with you? (Sample size=206)
| |
Yes |
No |
| From pupils |
26.7% |
73.3% |
| From parents, guardians |
15.0% |
85.0% |
Q5: Do you have worries about pupils’ internet use? (Sample size=206)
| Yes |
63.1% |
| No |
17.0% |
| Can’t say |
19.9% |
Q6: What kinds of web sites might you want to use, let your pupils use? (Sample size=206, multiple answer)
| Protects children’s safety |
75.7% |
| Designed for children |
73.8% |
| Information arranged by subject, school grade, etc |
70.4% |
| Can trust the site operators |
61.7% |
| Widely-known, famous |
33.0% |
| Recommended by the Board of Education |
22.3% |
| Other |
1.9% |
Q7: Have you ever taught a lesson that used iPads, other tablet computers? (Sample size=206)
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I think it comes down to the city boards of education when it comes to primary schools. While I’ve heard of some tremendously cool technology being used in some classrooms, for the most part I think educators are behind and falling behind. With all of the policing done by teachers (like checking karaoke places, game stores, shopping areas, etc. for students) I’m surprised that more teachers don’t do the same on the internet. I don’t really condone that kind of thing, but with the way the culture is in Japan, it’s just surprising. I think the internet can be a place to bully and be bullied. That definitely affects students– especially Japanese ones (with homerooms and all of their group activities).
I think schools should use their PTAs, in particular, to help protect their students and children. Parents and teachers need to help educate each other about specific things going on. City boards of education need to work with their prefectural boards (and MEXT) to help bring awareness to problems happening in surrounding areas and spread the word about the kinds of problems and issues happening in their own.
That’s not to mention other internet issues like dealing with protecting one’s privacy, virus prevention, scam avoidance, piracy, etc.
I hope this survey and future ones like it will help bring, even if just a little, attention to teacher computer/internet illiteracy to the local boards of education.
Thank you for sharing– this was an interesting one to me.