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Tokyo, Seoul, Beijing, Helsinki, London, Washington, D.C.
How do elementary school students in each of these cities learn in school and at home?
In 2006, the Benesse Educational Research & Development Center conducted a survey of attitudes toward study and actual learning among fifth year elementary school students in Japan (4th Basic Research on Academic Performance – National Survey). Following the completion of this survey, the team went on to conduct an almost identical survey in five cities overseas, namely Seoul, Beijing, Helsinki, London and Washington, D.C.
How do elementary school students in each of these cities study at school and at home? How does the picture differ from how students in Tokyo learn?
The data from this study provides insight for looking into learning among children.
Overview of Study
Theme
International survey of attitudes toward study and actual learning of elementary school students in six cities (Tokyo, Seoul, Beijing, Helsinki, London and Washington, D.C.)
Topics
Favorite subject / comprehension of coursework / time spent studying at home as well as contents and conditions of studying / “learning” taking place during everyday activities / use of study school / outside-of-school lessons or clubs / self assessment of grades / study related worries, motivation and joys / view of society, values / level to which students intend to continue studies / use of media / home environment
Survey Period, Subjects, Regions and Methodology
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Tokyo |
Seoul |
Beijing |
| Survey period |
June to July 2006 |
June to July 2006 |
October-06 |
| Age (corresponding grade) |
10-11 year olds (5th grade) |
10-11 year olds (5th grade) |
10-11 year olds (5th grade) |
| Number of schools |
33 |
19 |
14 |
| Number of samples |
1,105 |
1,300 |
1,195 |
| Region surveyed |
23 districts of Tokyo |
Seoul |
Beijing (excluding agricultural districts) |
| Survey method |
Self-administered questionnaire survey distributed via schools |
Self-administered questionnaire survey distributed via schools |
Self-administered questionnaire survey distributed via schools |
| |
Helsinki |
London |
Washington, D.C. |
| Survey period |
November-06 |
November 2006 to January 2007 |
December-06 |
| Age (corresponding grade) |
10-11 year olds (4th grade) |
10-11 year olds (6th grade) |
10-11 year olds (5th grade) |
| Number of schools |
12 |
19 |
11 |
| Number of samples |
526 |
891 |
955 |
| Region surveyed |
Helsinki |
London |
Washington Metropolitan Area (Washington DC, Prince William County) |
| Survey method |
Self-administered questionnaire survey distributed via schools |
Web-based survey taken at schools |
Self-administered questionnaire survey distributed via schools |
*Sampling method used in each city:
Non-random sampling was used. For this reason, one must keep in mind that the data cannot technically be considered representative of the city. However, the researchers and school officials in charge in each city took special care when selecting the target schools so that there would be no biases related to the local educational standards or the level of academic achievement at the schools.
Framework of Study
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Analysis
The following items should be kept in mind when reading through this preliminary report:
- The educational systems, availability of extracurricular learning activities, home environments and other factors have a significant effect on attitudes toward study and actual learning of elementary school students in each city. Because the institutional, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds are different, due consideration should be given when comparing and interpreting the numerical figures for different cities.
- There were cases where the questions used in the national survey involved phenomena and terminology that were either different or non-existent in some of the other countries. In these cases, the translation of the survey was adapted to the cultural background of the children in the particular city. There are notes in the report to indicate where this has been done.
- The survey was conducted in the capital cities (or surrounding areas thereof) of Japan, South Korea, China, Finland, the United Kingdom and the United States. Therefore, while the data represents trends in each of the cities, it does not represent national averages.
- The purpose of this preliminary report is to give an idea about general trends in each of the cities. For details, refer to the full report which is scheduled to be issued in Japanese in January 2008.
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