Maroc - TAIWANTODAY.TW - Top News - 01/Nov 00:00

Taiwan students rank high in ICILS survey

Taiwan’s eighth graders delivered strong performances in the 2023 International Computer and Information Literacy Study recently released by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement, the Ministry of Education said Nov. 12.   First conducted in 2013 and held every five years, the ICILS is designed to measure the capacity of eighth grade students to use information and communications technology productively beyond the basic use of digital technology. It tests students in computational thinking and computer and information literacy.   According to the MOE, this is the first time that Taiwan has taken part in the survey, which involved more than 130,000 students and 60,000 plus teachers in 34 countries and territories.   In the 2023 ICILS cycle, 5,112 local students took the computational thinking test and received an average score of 548 points. Just over 50 percent reached or surpassed level 3, indicating that they possess the ability to solve complex problems independently. The global averages are 483 points and 29 percent, respectively.   In terms of computer and information literacy, local students averaged 515 points, trailing only their peers from South Korea, Czechia and Denmark. Sixty-four percent of test takers achieved level 2 scores or higher, surpassing the global average of 49 percent to demonstrate their creativity and skill when addressing information and communications technology problems, as well as their ability to communicate clearly on the subject.   Consistent with global trends, girls outperformed boys in the computer and information literacy test, though computational thinking test results showed no measurable difference. The MOE also noted that while students’ test scores are generally related to their family background, these differences are less pronounced in Taiwan.   The MOE said the results reflect the success of Taiwan’s digital education, adding that the government will continue to implement policies to support the digital literacy of the country’s youth so that they can successfully pursue lifelong education and meet future challenges. (SFC-E)   Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw