Korean Elementary School Students Research Articles

Changes in the Average Body Mass Index of Fifth- and Sixth-Grade Korean Elementary School Students: The Role of Physical Education in Student Health.

This study aimed to emphasize the importance of physical education in maintaining sufficient physical activity by examining the average BMI of fifth- and sixth-grade elementary school students in Korea over multiple years. This study investigated changes in the average BMI of fifth- and sixth-grade elementary school students in Korea. It provided foundational data to suggest the role of physical education in student health and set future directions. The 2019-2021 Physical Activity Promotion System (PAPS) of the Korean Ministry of Education was used. Data corresponding to fifth- and sixth-grade students (124,693 from 2019, 126,226 from 2020, and 117,809 from 2021) in 1208 elementary schools in Korea were collected. Repeated measures ANOVA was conducted for the data analysis. The study findings are as follows: First, the average BMI of fifth- and sixth-grade elementary school students in Korea increased significantly in 2021 compared with 2019 and 2020. Second, changes in the yearly average BMI showed a significant difference depending on gender and grade. Obesity among fifth- and sixth-grade elementary school students in Korea increased steadily during 2019-2021, which may be due to a decrease in students' physical activity. Male students showed a steeper increase regardless of grade. During the study period, limited physical activity at school increased obesity rates. Physical education must play a role in students' health in preparation for future changes.

Hands-Only Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Education for Elementary School Students in Korea: Tracking by School Grade, Physical Characteristics, and Physical Strength.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess variations in chest compression depth among Korean elementary school students based on grade, physical characteristics, and strength. Methods: The study involved 140 children in the third to sixth grades from elementary schools. Before providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) education, we assessed height, weight, BMI, grip strength, and back strength. Subsequently, CPR education was administered, followed by individual measurements of compression depth. The factors related to compression depths was analyzed using t-test, ANOVA and multivariable regression. Results: The mean compression depth was consistently lower than the guideline standard across all grades, indicating grade-dependent differences (p = 0.000). Moreover, height, weight, BMI, grip strength and back strength increased, exhibited significant increases with grade (p = 0.000). In multivariable regression analysis, it was observed that as grade increased, chest compression depth increased by 0.701cm (p = 0.000). Conclusion: School grade significantly influenced achieving the proper chest compressions depth, no notable correlation found for physical factors. Thus, a strategy emphasizing the importance of sufficient chest compressions during CPR education, particularly targeting elementary school students, seems necessary to encourage greater effort.

초등학생 영어 학업 성취 특성 분석

The present study aims to show elementary school students’ characteristics of English achievement in a broad perspective. It analyses the results of a nationwide large-scale achievement test which resumed in 2022 all over the country after almost a ten-year-gap. The Ministry of Education (MoE) had first begun the nationwide achievement test in 1986 for the quality control of primary and secondary education in Korea. The MoE, however, suspended the test particularly for the elementary level from 2012 due to some policy changes. Only recently, has the MoE resumed the large-scale achievement test, named the Customized Assessment of Educational Achievement (CAEA). The analyses of the data from CAEA show that 6th grade students perform English communicative skills in an unbalanced manner. The achievement levels of listening and speaking tend to be higher than those of reading and writing. They also show better performances in communicative and information processing competencies rather than social competence. It suggests that the strengths and weaknesses of Korean elementary school students’ English achievement should be reflected on English education. Additionally, with these kinds of results being continuously accumulated, it is expected to provide valuable information on policymaking for curriculum design, textbook development, and teaching methods improvement in the future.

초등학생들의 그림자교육/사교육(shadow education)에서 나타나는 학습 불평등

The purpose of this study is to examine the inequality in elementary school students’ shadow education experiences based on their parents’ socioeconomic status (SES). Accordingly, we investigated the differences in types of shadow education participation based on parental SES in South Korean elementary school students, as well as the direct and indirect impacts of differential shadow education experiences on students’ school life and academic performance. The results of the study revealed the following disparities in shadow education. Firstly, students from lower SES backgrounds participated in after-school programme and subscribed learning programmes, but did not gain significant assistance in enhancing their learning and comprehension at school. Secondly, students from middle SES backgrounds participated in mono-subject hakwon and multi-subject hakwon, acquiring prerequisite knowledge in subjects through preparatory learning, which contributes to their academic performance at school and prepares them for future grade-level transitions. Thirdly, students from higher SES backgrounds engaged in multi-subject hakwon and private tutoring. They are participating in advanced learning for a much longer period of 2-4 years compared to the previous two classes. Through this, they are consisently ranking 1-2 in the class. Lastly, students from the highest SES backgrounds participated in youngjae hakwon and private tutoring. They internalized various inquiry skills and learning abilities necessary for school study, regardless of their grade level. Based on the characteristics of different types of shadow education and the learning disparities revealed in this study, we can contribute to various policy, curriculum, and instructional solutions and suggestions at the school education.

초등학생 영어 글쓰기에 나타난 어휘 사용 양상 분석

This study aims to analyze the English writings of Korean elementary school students and assess their English vocabulary usage. In order to collect their writings, 226 fourth-grade students and 199 sixth-grade students across three different elementary schools in Korea were selected as participants. A total of 413 self-introductions written by students in English were compiled and analyzed using several corpus analysis programs. The comparative analysis of the students’ English writings revealed that the students who participated in this study had varying English learning experiences. In addition, the statistical results of the analysis showed that the discrepancy of the students’ learning experiences can affect their ability to use English vocabulary in writing. However, the students used the same words in their English writing at a high rate. Considering the accordance rate with the basic vocabulary usage of the English curriculum, students with lower writing levels had a tendency to use basic words compared to those with higher writing levels. The results of this study suggest that vocabulary usage and writing competency can be affected by the students’ educational experiences and socio-economic status, as well as their individual abilities. Furthermore, directions for improving vocabulary education within English curriculum are also discussed

Wellness Perception of South Korean Elementary School Students during the COVID-19 Endemic.

Using convenience sampling, 675 South Korean elementary school students (age 11-12 years old) were selected as participants in July 2023. Data for the study were collected via online and offline surveys between July and August 2023. The collected data were subjected to frequency, reliability, and multicollinearity analyses, independent sample t-tests, and importance-performance analysis (IPA). The findings indicated the following: (1) There was no significant difference in health management performance between male and female children. (2) Children who had not experienced COVID-19 infection, had a higher level of "hygiene management" performance. (3) Among children who did not wear masks during physical activity, "mental health management" and "physical activity management" performance were higher, while "hygiene management" performance was lower. (4) The IPA matrix analysis revealed that, compared to the COVID-19 pandemic period, "physical activity management", "dietary habit management", and "sleep management" still required improvement, while "hygiene management" and "disease management" appeared to have decreased due to the relaxation of epidemic control efforts. As per the study's findings, schools, local communities, and families should make efforts to develop and implement preventive and individualized health management programs that consider the individual characteristics of their children.

The Effect of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Education on the CPR Knowledge, Attitudes, Self-Efficacy, and Confidence in Performing CPR among Elementary School Students in Korea.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) education for schoolchildren is emphasized, as bystander CPR is a vital key to increasing the survival rate of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) victims. This study was conducted to verify the effect of CPR education on knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy, and confidence of Korean elementary school students in performing CPR. Data were collected through structured questionnaires before and after CPR education and analyzed using descriptive statistics, T-tests, and hierarchical regression. Significant improvements in CPR knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy, and confidence in performing CPR were found after CPR education, with the greatest increase observed in confidence (p = 0.000). The influencing factors on confidence in performing CPR were school grade, attitude, and self-efficacy. Although a significant increase in schoolchildren's CPR knowledge after education was shown, knowledge did not affect confidence in performing CPR. Therefore, early CPR education which focuses on improving confidence in performing CPR is recommended. CPR education might raise attitude and self-efficacy leading to increased confidence in performing bystander CPR. In conclusion, early and regular CPR education for elementary school students is crucial and should be conducted repeatedly.

A Case Study of Individual Contextual Characteristics Impact on Korean Elementary School Students’ Interest in Science Using Phase of Interest Development and the Process-Person-Context-Time Models

Abstract This study examines the individual contextual characteristics of elementary school students in Korea during the phase of interest development, using Phase of Interest Development (PIT) and Process-Person-Context-Time (PPCT) models. Four students from each level of interest development were selected to participate, and they wrote photo-journals for 12 weeks while meeting with the researcher every two weeks for semi-structured interviews. The results show that students with higher levels of interest in science tend to participate more in science activities, become more independent, and re-engage in activities. The findings suggest that factors within the microsystem, such as schoolteachers or parents, may have an influence on students’ interest in science, regardless of their level of interest. This study contributes to the theoretical foundation of interest in science research and may be useful for developing strategies to increase students’ interest in science.

초 · 중 · 고등학생들의 월가구소득에 따른 사교육 격차 추이 분석: 코로나19 전후 비교를 중심으로

이 연구에서는 통계청과 교육청이 주관한 초·중·고 사교육비 조사 자료를 활용하여 지난 10년간 월가구소득에 따른 사교육비 격차의 추이가 어떻게 변화했는지 살펴보았으며, 코로나19 사태가 사교육비 격차 추이에 어떠한 영향을 미쳤는지 살펴보았다. 다층회귀분석을 적용하여 약 49만 명 학부모들의 응답을 분석한 결과는 다음과 같다. 첫째, 초등학생들의 1인당 실질 사교육비는 시간에 따라 감소하였고, 중학생들의 1인당 실질 사교육비는 유의한 변화가 없었으며, 고등학생들의 1인당 실질 사교육비는 시간에 따라 증가하였다. 둘째, 코로나19 사태 이후의 초등학생과 중학생들은 코로나19 사태 이전보다 사교육비를 더 많이 지출하는 반면, 고등학생들은 사교육 지출에 있어 코로나19의 영향을 받지 않는 것으로 나타났다. 셋째, 코로나19 이전에는 모든 학교급에서 시간에 따라 월가구소득에 따른 사교육비 격차가 증가한 것으로 나타났다. 넷째, 모든 학교급에서 코로나19 이후에는 사교육비의 격차가 감소한 것으로 나타났다. 상기 연구결과는 사교육비의 증가와 교육의 양극화를 해소하기 위한 정책적 대응이 필요함을 시사한다.

The Effect of a Virtual Reality-Based Physical Education Program on Physical Fitness among Elementary School Students.

This study aimed to verify the effectiveness of a virtual reality-based physical education program on physical fitness among Korean elementary school students. The study, conducted at a public school in South Korea in the second semester of 2022, included experimental and control groups of 45 participants each (N=90). All participants underwent physical fitness tests before and after the experiment. The students assigned to the experimental group participated in the virtual reality-based physical education program three times a week for a total of 8 weeks (40 minutes per session), while those assigned to the control group did not participate in any exercise program. The effect size was confirmed using Cohen's d, and a two-way repeated measures analysis of variance was used to analyze changes in physical factors before and after the experiment for each group. Among the male participants, we observed significant differences in overall health-related physical fitness, cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength and endurance, and power between the experimental and control groups (P<0.05). Among the female participants, we observed significant differences in overall health-related physical fitness, cardiorespiratory endurance, flexibility, and muscular strength and endurance between the groups (P<0.05). Virtual reality-based physical education may help to improve indicators of physical fitness among elementary school students, especially among those who have experienced deterioration of physical fitness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our results, therefore, highlight the need to establish virtual reality-based physical education facilities at the elementary school level in Korea.

The Impact of Aircraft Noise on the Cognitive Function of Elementary School Students in Korea.

This study evaluated the effects of chronic exposure to aircraft noise on the cognitive functions of Korean elementary school students attending an elementary school around a military airfield and clarified the relationship between noise exposure and cognitive functions. Five schools with average weight equivalent continuous perceived noise levels (WECPNL) of ≥75 dB were selected from four regions in Korea. Each of these schools was matched with a non-exposed school. The Korean Intelligence Test Primary (KIT-P) was used to measure the scores of four subcategories and the intelligence quotient (IQ). The noise exposure groups were divided into high-exposure (WECPNL ≥ 80 dB) and medium-exposure (75 ≤ WECPNL < 80) groups. The period of exposure during the school year was collected. A linear mixed model, with matched pairs of schools, was used for statistical analysis. In the multivariable linear mixed model adjusted by possible confounders, the reasoning score was significantly lower in the high-exposure group of students than in the no-exposure group. Other scores and IQ were lower in the noise exposure groups, although these were not statistically significant. The duration of exposure did not show a significant relationship with cognitive functions. Chronic exposure to noise from military airfields may influence the cognitive functions, thereby reducing the learning performance of Korean children.

Proposal of a Design Direction for a Music Curriculum Through Analysis of Korean Elementary School Students' Perceptions of the Goals, Contents, Methods, and Evaluations of Music Classes

The curriculum must be structured at the level and perspective of the students because the it is for students' learning. In this regard, the purpose of this study is to propose a design direction for the elementary school music curriculum by analyzing the perceptions of elementary school students in grades 5-6 toward school music classes. For this purpose, observation, interview, and checklist methods were conducted for 16 elementary school students to analyze students' perceptions of the goals, contents, methods, and evaluations of school music classes. The learning attitude of the students participating in the school music class was observed for one month, and an interview was conducted in groups to collect the students' free thoughts about the music class. Then, a checklist method was implemented to check the contents and methods of things that should be emphasized or preferred in the music class. The recognition results of students are as follows. First, they wanted music classes that were closely related to their lives. Second, listening to music was preferred along with performing music. Third, they wanted to experience a variety of music genres. Fourth, they wanted a fun music class. Fifth, they wanted the class to be more active when using digital devices. In conclusion, it is necessary to organize all music areas to be connected to life, to experience various genres of music content, and to use more active and interesting methods such as digital. In addition, it was confirmed that the curriculum should be composed of music learning linked to life and various fields.

Posthuman Learning Culture and Internet-Based Private Tutoring in South Korea: Implications for Online Instruction in Public Schooling

In the digital age, education through the Internet becomes a new form of teaching and learning, which leaves many challenges as well as possibilities for teachers and students. In this study, we analyzed the effective practices for online learning comparing schools and private supplementary tutoring. South Korea is an appropriate country for this investigation, as public and private education sectors have attempted to advance online teaching and learning and approximately 80% of Korean elementary and secondary school students take online courses provided by private tutoring institutes. This qualitative study reveals that online learning in private supplementary tutoring, commonly known as shadow education, is highly advanced and favored by students and parents compared to that of schools. The features of online learning in shadow education include individualized learning, effective communication skills under post-human space, attention skills for cyber learning, and advanced Internet technologies and tools. The study results have practical implications for educational administrators and schoolteachers concerning effective online teaching and learning. In addition, we suggest that a more comprehensive understanding of online learning is needed to guide schoolteachers and policymakers.

Correlation of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder with gut microbiota according to the dietary intake of Korean elementary school students.

We investigated the impact of dietary patterns on the gut microbiota and concentration of short-chain fatty acids in the feces of Korean elementary school students. The dietary intake and ADHD assessment of 40 Korean elementary school students were analyzed using a dish-based semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Analysis of gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acids composition were performed using the real-time polymerase chain reaction, metagenomics, and gas chromatography methods. The dietary patterns of participants were divided into four groups: healthy, processed food, fish and shellfish, and meat. The participants were also divided into two groups according to their ADHD scores: 0–30, control group; over 30, ADHD group. The ADHD score of the processed food group was significantly higher than that of the healthy group. The processed food and ADHD groups showed significantly higher abundance of harmful bacteria, such as the Enterobacter, Escherichia coli, and Clostridium strains, and markedly lower abundance of beneficial bacteria, such as the Bifidobacterium and Ruminococcus strains, than the control group. The heat maps of metagenomics indicated that each group was separated into distinct clusters, and the processed food and ADHD groups showed significantly lower α-diversity of gut microbiota than the control group. In these groups, the concentration of acetate or butyrate in the feces was significantly lower than that in the control group. These results may indicate that imbalanced diets can disturb the colonic microbial balance and are likely to become a potential risk factor for the prevalence of ADHD.

Changes in Physical Fitness among Elementary and Middle School Students in Korea before and after COVID-19.

The present study aimed to analyze changes in health-related physical fitness among Korean elementary and middle school students before (2019) and after (2021) the COVID-19 pandemic. Data collection was completed by requesting the physical activity promotion system (PAPS) data from elementary and middle school students. This information is obtained annually by the Goyang Office of Education in Gyeonggi-do, Korea. The collected data were measured in 2019 and 2021. Data were collected from 17,000 children in the fifth and sixth grades of elementary school and about 24,000 boys and girls in the first, second, and third grades of middle school. Chi-square analyses were used to examine data from each school’s health-related physical fitness examinations. Our results indicated that physical fitness levels were significantly lower in 2021 than in 2019 across the following six areas: cardiorespiratory endurance, power, muscular strength, flexibility, obesity, and overall health-related physical fitness (p < 0.05). In addition, the ratio of students with excellent physical fitness (PAPS Grades 1 and 2) significantly decreased from 2019 to 2021, while the ratio of students with poor physical fitness (PAPS Grades 3, 4, and 5) increased (p < 0.05). In addition, there were some differences according to grade and gender. Discussions regarding the impact of decreases in physical activity on physical fitness, interpretations of physical fitness in the context of a pandemic, and practical measures that can be implemented to improve health and fitness among children and adolescents in such situations remain essential.

Change in Factors Affecting Cyberbullying of Korean Elementary School Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The importance of social networking and the online environment as core factors in building relationships has grown as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which limited in-person activities. As classes transitioned to online platforms, there was an influx of elementary school students into the cyberspace, increasing the risk of exposure to cyberbullying. This study analyzed the factors influencing the experience of cyberbullying among Korean elementary school students around 2020, when the spread of COVID-19 began in earnest, and thus suggests directions for cyberbullying prevention measures for the post-COVID-19 era. This comparative study used binary logistic regression to analyze data from the “Cyber Violence Survey” conducted by the Korea Communications Commission in 2019 and 2020. The analysis confirmed that interactions between parents and children, cyberbullying control by schools, and recognition of cyberbullying as a problem had statistically significant influences on cyberbullying experience only in 2020 (i.e., when the pandemic began). Overall, this study emphasizes the importance of raising awareness about cyberbullying among elementary school students and taking preventive action through a home-school system to address cyberbullying in the post-COVID-19 era.

Relating Students’ Early Algebraic Thinking to Mathematics Curriculum Materials

This study investigated the trends in algebraic thinking of Korean elementary school students through the students’ correct answer rates for the early algebra-related items in the 4th-grade assessment of TIMSS 2011, TIMSS 2015, and TIMSS 2019, and explored these trends in relation to the changes in early algebra-related content in the Korean mathematics curriculum and textbooks. As a result of the study, with regards to finding unknowns or unknown operations and representing problem situations as expressions, the correct answer rates of the students participating in TIMSS 2019 decreased compared to those participating in TIMSS 2015. The change in the correct answer rates was related to the decrease of relevant standards in the mathematics curriculum and tasks in mathematics textbooks.&#x0D; Meanwhile, for tasks about identifying a recursive pattern and representing a covariational relationship, the relevance of the mathematics curriculum materials to the changes in students’ algebraic thinking were not revealed due to the limitation of the small number of related TIMSS items. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that the correct answer rates of students participating in TIMSS 2019 for recognizing recursive patterns and finding appropriate values decreased slightly. Finally, this study makes suggestions for the learning and teaching of early algebra based on the observed results.

Assessing quality of life among elementary school students: Validation of the Korean version of the Meaning in Life in Children Questionnaire.

Meaning in life (MIL) has been widely recognized as a hallmark of psychological well-being and positive youth development. The goal of this study was to validate the Korean version of the Meaning in Life in Children Questionnaire (K-MIL-CQ) utilizing the framework suggested by the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing. Data were obtained from 277 fifth graders aged 10–11 in three elementary schools in Seoul and Gyeonggi through a paper-and-pencil survey (55.2% boys). We translated the MIL-CQ, a 21-item self-report measure developed based on Frankl’s “meaning triangle,” into Korean. Psychological well-being measures were also assessed. Validity and reliability data were collected. (1) The content of domains and items was appropriate for measuring MIL among children. (2) A three-factor model consisting of attitude, creativity, and experience pathways was extracted via exploratory factor analysis, and a three-factor hierarchical model including attitude, creativity, and experience as first-order factors and MIL as a second-order factor was confirmed via confirmatory factor analysis. (3) Higher levels of MIL were related to higher levels of satisfaction with life, self-esteem, positive affectivity, and lower levels of negative affectivity. (4) All item fit statistics were acceptable based on the Rasch model. (5) The analysis of the measurement invariance of each item showed that the responses to one item varied by gender, suggesting that additional items might facilitate better measurement of MIL in children. This study provides validity and reliability evidence that K-MIL-CQ is appropriate for measuring MIL among South Korean elementary school students.

Integrating information practices into everyday teaching

This paper reports on the information practices and information literacy (IL) skills of South Korean elementary school students from the perspectives of working teachers. Key to this investigation was the notion of information practice, and how this is shaped by the practice architecture found in an educational setting. A sequential mixed design was undertaken to investigate these ideas which consisted of exploratory interviews with 4 elementary school teachers and was followed by a questionnaire which analysed the responses of 314 elementary school teachers. Findings indicate that in this setting, teachers, students and pre-set curricular content serve as the most frequently used information sources for students during their everyday classes. We pay specific attention to the ongoing centrality of the textbook, in its traditional paper format, to the ways in which teachers design learning activities, and suggest that this limits the diversity of informational approaches to which young South Korean learners are exposed. While these learners are engaged, they are limited in terms of informational genre since teachers and textbooks were found to be dominant information proxies. Activities in which students engage in active seeking or scanning are rarer. Contexts with such a configuration may be hindering the development of critical information literacy skills that are vital in dealing with the abundance of information faced by individuals today.

The relationships among career maturity, motivation, and self‐regulation: A longitudinal study

AbstractIn this study, we used data from the 2013 Korea Education Longitudinal Study to identify longitudinal relationships among motivation, self‐regulation, and career maturity in Korean elementary, middle, and high school students. Data from three waves were used for autoregressive cross‐lagged modeling—wave 2 (12 years old; sixth graders in elementary school), wave 5 (15 years old; ninth graders in middle school), and wave 7 (17 years old; 11th graders in high school). The results were as follows. First, the autoregressive effect was significant at all time points for all latent variables. Second, the cross‐lagged effect displayed the same direction across all time points, but different results were derived for different variables. The implications of the study are discussed.