Development of a Self-Learning Support System Using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for a Student Who Had Difficulty Learning to Write Kanji: A Preliminary Study

• Published in: The Japanese Journal of Special Education Vol. 60; no. 1; pp. 33 - 44
• Main Authors: HIGUMA, Kazuo, OHBA, Shigeji
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: The Japanese Association of Special Education 31.05.2022
• Subjects: adolescent learning to write kanji; information and communication technology (ICT); learning support; self-esteem; writing kanji (Chinese characters used in Japanese)
• ISSN: 0387-3374; 2186-5132
• DOI: 10.6033/tokkyou.60.33

A preliminary study of an information and communication technology (ICT)-based self-learning support system was conducted for approximately 2 years with a junior high school student who had difficulty learning to write kanji correctly. The student was in the eighth grade at the start of his participation. The purposes of the present study were to examine effects of the system and to identify variables that needed to be taken into account when a similar system was used to support kanji writing. Using this system, the participant was involved in creating 244 kanji questions, including 440 characters that were new to him. He was able to answer these questions 893 times at home. These results suggested that the series of supportive procedures included in the system was effective. When using a similar system, it is important to consider (a) the cognitive characteristics and self-esteem of the learners, (b) participation of the learners when creating information and communication technology-based learning materials, (c) establishing a system that can support students' learnering at any time, and (d) introducing an evaluation method to verify the effectiveness of the support in the participants' daily lives.