JAPANESE STUDENTS' PREFERRED STUDY HABITS IN THE DIGITAL AGE

Background In the drive for schools to incorporate technology into education, students are increasingly given e-learning assignments. Usually, the students dutifully complete them. However, students still need to study for... [ view full abstract ]

Background
In the drive for schools to incorporate technology into education, students are increasingly given e-learning assignments. Usually, the students dutifully complete them. However, students still need to study for entrance exams, school exams and licensing exams. Have they embraced these e-learning methods, do they continue to use traditional methods, a combination or do they have their own methods?
Aims
The aim was to find out how students liked to study on their own. This precluded any assignments unless they liked that method enough to continue using it. (This was explained to the students.)
Method
Students at mid-level and high-level universities were surveyed via essay on their best ways to study. These students are most likely to have successful study methods as some of them (n=126) have passed the difficult entrance examinations for Japan's national universities. Others (=29) have passed the entrance exam at a mid-level private university which is well regarded as the pass rate for the nursing license is usually at or nearly 100%. They are also more likely to be able to articulate their reasons for their preferences.
Findings
The students used a variety of methods. Some have experimented with newer technology. In general, they prefer traditional methods with the use of technology for additional support, such as using videos. While some like the new ways, many find technology less user-friendly for intense study in terms of reliability and ease of use vis-à-vis traditional methods.
Conclusions and Implications
Students in high-stakes testing situations need the best study methods to succeed. They will not waste time with anything ineffective. For these students, it appears that, despite the trends, discarding traditional study methods at the present time is not ideal. The author plans to use the information to improve class learning experience, for example, no longer requiring the use of specific online vocabulary learning sites.