International Survey of Education Apps in 5 Countries: Higher-Achieving Students Use Apps More for Online Learning and Math Practice
The Sprix Education Foundation conducted an international survey of 8th graders across five countries regarding education app usage and its correlation with academic performance. The findings indicate that higher-achieving students are generally more proactive in utilizing apps for math practice, while app adoption and specific usage patterns vary significantly by country, influenced by local educational needs and socioeconomic backgrounds.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: March 28, 2026 at 00:45
- 🔍 Collected: March 28, 2026 at 21:59 (21h 14m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 15, 2026 at 03:25 (413h 26m after Collected)
March 26, 2026
## Overview
The Sprix Education Foundation (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Hiroyuki Tsuneishi) conducted the "2025 International Survey of Parents and Children on Basic Academic Skills and Learning Awareness" to understand the current state of awareness regarding basic academic proficiency. This report presents the survey results concerning the actual usage of education apps and their correlation with calculation skills among 8th-grade students in five countries.
The key points of the survey results are as follows:
### Key Survey Results
(1) App-based learning is dominated by "Online Learning," "Math Practice," and "Checking Answers."
While over 90% of students in China and South Africa have integrated apps into their studies, the adoption rate remains around 70% in France, showing differences in the penetration of app-based learning by country. However, regarding usage purposes, "Online Learning," "Math Practice," and "Checking Answers" ranked high in all countries. In particular, "Online Learning," which is not restricted to specific subjects, was most frequently selected in the United States, the UK, and China, suggesting that a culture of studying in an optimal learning environment tailored to individual needs—unconstrained by time or place—has taken root.
(2) High utilization rate of "Math Practice Apps" among high-achieving students
In four countries, excluding South Africa, students in the top tier of calculation test performance tended to utilize math practice apps more proactively than those in the bottom tier. The high rate of non-usage of math practice apps among the bottom-tier students in France was particularly notable.
(3) Popular apps and their backgrounds as seen in free-text responses
Duolingo, a foreign language education app, is popular in four countries excluding China, confirming its global penetration. It was also found that education apps are utilized according to local needs, such as adaptive learning tailored to proficiency levels in the US and other countries, official platforms in the UK, and AI-based diagnostics for weak points and explanations of thinking processes in China.
## Background of the Survey
While the adoption of EdTech is progressing globally, a fundamental question remains among educators and parents in Japan: "Does the use of digital tools truly contribute to the improvement of academic ability?"
Looking abroad, diverse tools are being utilized to support the learning content itself, such as adaptive learning based on proficiency, tools specialized for math practice, and AI-powered diagnostics for weak points. While the recognition of global tools like Duolingo and Udemy is increasing in Japan, the reality is that recognition and utilization of overseas platforms specialized for middle and high school subject learning remain limited due to language barriers. Therefore, the concrete reality of how digital tools support academic improvement abroad has not been fully grasped.
Accordingly, this survey analyzed the correlation by combining the results of calculation tests with the actual state of app usage among middle school students in five countries worldwide. The purpose is to clarify the reality of overseas digital learning that supports academic ability by not only comparing penetration rates but also by verifying utilization trends by performance tier and specific functions obtained from free-text responses.
## Survey Method
[Table]
- Survey Theme: 2025 International Survey of Parents and Children on Basic Academic Skills and Learning Awareness
- Survey Period: April to June 2025
- Target Countries: United States, United Kingdom, France, South Africa, China (5 countries total)
- Target Respondents: 8th-grade middle school students
- Sample Size: 150 students per country
- Survey Method: Internet panel survey. Conducted by the Sprix Education Foundation, commissioned to Cross Marketing Inc.
*Note: When publishing the contents of this release, please clearly state "Source: Sprix Education Foundation Survey."
## Survey Results
(1) App-based learning is dominated by "Online Learning," "Math Practice," and "Checking Answers."
We conducted a survey of 8th graders in five countries (US, UK, France, South Africa, China) on "to what extent do you use apps on smartphones or tablets for studying?"
According to the comparison by country in Figure 1(a), the total of "often use" and "sometimes use" exceeds 90% in South Africa and China, showing that apps are established as learning tools compared to other countries. On the other hand, in France, the total remains at about 70%, and the proportion of respondents who answered "often use" was 20%, the lowest among the five countries.
Furthermore, when we asked app users about their specific purposes of use [Figure 1(b)], the usage rates of "Online Learning," "Math Practice," and "Checking Answers" were high in four countries excluding France. Particularly in the US, the UK, and China, nearly half of app users selected "Online Learning," suggesting that a culture of studying in an optimal environment tailored to individual needs, unconstrained by time or place, may have taken root.
(2) High utilization rate of "Math Practice Apps" among high-achieving students
To clarify the difference in apps used based on calculation ability, we conducted a test using 32 basic calculation problems. We divided respondents into four groups based on their results, defining the top 25% as the "top-tier" and the bottom 25% as the "bottom-tier" to confirm differences in app usage rates [Figure 2(a)].
Focusing on "Math Practice Apps," there was a clear gap in usage frequency between the top and bottom tiers in four countries excluding South Africa. In the UK, high-achieving students also tend to use study recording/management apps and online learning, suggesting the possibility that the utilization of online platforms influences learning outcomes. Figure 2(b) shows the specific usage rates of math practice apps by performance tier. Notably, in France, the high "non-usage rate" among the bottom tier was prominent.
However, caution is required in concluding from these results that "the use of math practice apps brought about direct improvement in calculation ability." It is generally known that academic performance is strongly correlated with a family's socioeconomic background (SES). Therefore, one should also consider the influence of background factors, such as the fact that the top tier has easier access to digital devices and high-quality learning content due to higher SES, resulting in higher app usage rates and higher performance.
(3) Popular apps and their backgrounds as seen in free-text responses
We asked education app users specifically about the names of apps they actually use. We tabulated the free-text responses by country and extracted the top three apps with the highest number of respondents. Below, we explain the functions and features of the top-ranked apps.
- US, UK, France, South Africa: Duolingo
Duolingo, a foreign language education app, was common in four countries excluding China. While a math course was released in 2025, its deployment status varies by country, and future trends regarding its influence on math learning are noteworthy.
- US, UK, South Africa: Khan Academy
Khan Academy was frequently mentioned in three countries. It features adaptive learning where the difficulty of problems changes according to correctness, set with lecture videos and practice problems. Learning status is visualized in five stages from "Not Started" to "Mastered."
- US, France, South Africa: Quizlet
Quizlet is a learning app where users can efficiently learn with flashcards made by themselves or others. Teachers can incorporate various learning modes or the competitive game "Quizlet Live" into classes, enabling high-quality class creation that students enjoy.
- UK: BBC Bitesize
This is a learning site compliant with UK public education, boasting a high usage rate. It has a strong aspect as a review of class content or a check test, and since it is often assigned as school homework, it is deeply rooted in UK students.
- France: PRONOTE
This is a school life management app introduced in 90% of public middle and high schools in France. Its biggest feature is that access to all information in school life and communication functions are consolidated.
- China: Zuoyebang, Yuanfudao, Xueersi
With the 2021 tutoring industry regulations, for-profit tutoring operations were banned in China. Consequently, major tutoring companies shifted their business models from "providing classes" to AI-equipped learning apps or selling dedicated learning terminals.
- Zuoyebang: Originally spread as a search app where answers are displayed by taking a photo of a problem, it is now deeply expanded into areas such as learning terminal development. The function of analyzing weaknesses via AI from vast data and generating individual practice problems is supported.
- Yuanfudao: Deploys various AI-driven education apps. It has functions such as recognizing handwritten characters just by placing homework under a camera to instantly present grading and explanation videos, utilized as a tool to reduce the burden of learning management for parents.
- Xueersi: A major project of TAL Education Group. Its dedicated learning terminals focus on guiding the thinking process rather than simply teaching answers. It is equipped with a "Deep Thinking Mode" using a high-performance DeepSeek model, presenting hints in stages for unsolvable problems, and is popular in urban areas as a tool to support autonomous learning.
## Conclusion
The results of this survey revealed that there is a large difference in the penetration of education apps by country. While education apps are deeply established in China and South Africa, there are countries like France where utilization is limited.
In addition, it was confirmed that in many countries, there is a tendency for high-achieving students to utilize math practice apps more proactively. However, it must be noted that a family's socioeconomic background (SES) may influence this. It cannot be denied that the difference in family circumstances, such as whether they are in an environment where they can use devices or have access to high-quality content, leads to differences in academic ability. These challenges regarding educational inequality need to be carefully monitored in the future.
Furthermore, analysis of the apps used showed that while there are common apps used worldwide, some apps have evolved uniquely in their countries. Considering these technological innovations, the roles and functions of education apps are expected to change dramatically as generative AI evolves further. Following these global technological trends while benchmarking advanced cases, Japanese education apps will likely need to continue their own development. Simultaneously, continuous research and precise verification are required regarding the effectiveness of whether the utilization of digital tools is truly contributing to the improvement of learners' academic ability.
### Supplement: Overview of Calculation Test Implementation
- Test Content: Basic calculation problems following the calculation field of the International Basic Academic Proficiency Test (TOFAS).
- Problem Composition: Review of elementary school math, fractions, positive and negative numbers, algebraic expressions, equations, calculation of expressions, simultaneous equations.
- Number of problems: 32 problems.
- Time limit: 15 minutes.
### Supplement: Survey Item Contents
- Q1: How much do you use apps on your smartphone or tablet for studying? (Excluding school/tutoring classes)
- Options: Often use / Sometimes use / Have tried using / Have never used at all
- Q2: What kind of apps do you use for studying? (Select all that apply)
- Options: Apps for recording study/managing learning / Online learning apps / Foreign language apps / Native language apps / Math practice apps / English vocabulary apps / Answer check apps / Dictionary apps / Other
- Q3: Please tell us the names of up to 5 apps you often use for studying.
## About the Sprix Education Foundation
The Sprix Education Foundation aims to contribute to the healthy development of youth by providing scholarships to students in need of social support, as well as conducting research on education and publishing the results widely to the general public.
- Name: Sprix Education Foundation
- Established: April 2023
- Representative Director: Hiroyuki Tsuneishi
- Business Description: Scholarship provision, research and studies
- Website: https://sprix-foundation.org/
## Overview
The Sprix Education Foundation (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Hiroyuki Tsuneishi) conducted the "2025 International Survey of Parents and Children on Basic Academic Skills and Learning Awareness" to understand the current state of awareness regarding basic academic proficiency. This report presents the survey results concerning the actual usage of education apps and their correlation with calculation skills among 8th-grade students in five countries.
The key points of the survey results are as follows:
### Key Survey Results
(1) App-based learning is dominated by "Online Learning," "Math Practice," and "Checking Answers."
While over 90% of students in China and South Africa have integrated apps into their studies, the adoption rate remains around 70% in France, showing differences in the penetration of app-based learning by country. However, regarding usage purposes, "Online Learning," "Math Practice," and "Checking Answers" ranked high in all countries. In particular, "Online Learning," which is not restricted to specific subjects, was most frequently selected in the United States, the UK, and China, suggesting that a culture of studying in an optimal learning environment tailored to individual needs—unconstrained by time or place—has taken root.
(2) High utilization rate of "Math Practice Apps" among high-achieving students
In four countries, excluding South Africa, students in the top tier of calculation test performance tended to utilize math practice apps more proactively than those in the bottom tier. The high rate of non-usage of math practice apps among the bottom-tier students in France was particularly notable.
(3) Popular apps and their backgrounds as seen in free-text responses
Duolingo, a foreign language education app, is popular in four countries excluding China, confirming its global penetration. It was also found that education apps are utilized according to local needs, such as adaptive learning tailored to proficiency levels in the US and other countries, official platforms in the UK, and AI-based diagnostics for weak points and explanations of thinking processes in China.
## Background of the Survey
While the adoption of EdTech is progressing globally, a fundamental question remains among educators and parents in Japan: "Does the use of digital tools truly contribute to the improvement of academic ability?"
Looking abroad, diverse tools are being utilized to support the learning content itself, such as adaptive learning based on proficiency, tools specialized for math practice, and AI-powered diagnostics for weak points. While the recognition of global tools like Duolingo and Udemy is increasing in Japan, the reality is that recognition and utilization of overseas platforms specialized for middle and high school subject learning remain limited due to language barriers. Therefore, the concrete reality of how digital tools support academic improvement abroad has not been fully grasped.
Accordingly, this survey analyzed the correlation by combining the results of calculation tests with the actual state of app usage among middle school students in five countries worldwide. The purpose is to clarify the reality of overseas digital learning that supports academic ability by not only comparing penetration rates but also by verifying utilization trends by performance tier and specific functions obtained from free-text responses.
## Survey Method
[Table]
- Survey Theme: 2025 International Survey of Parents and Children on Basic Academic Skills and Learning Awareness
- Survey Period: April to June 2025
- Target Countries: United States, United Kingdom, France, South Africa, China (5 countries total)
- Target Respondents: 8th-grade middle school students
- Sample Size: 150 students per country
- Survey Method: Internet panel survey. Conducted by the Sprix Education Foundation, commissioned to Cross Marketing Inc.
*Note: When publishing the contents of this release, please clearly state "Source: Sprix Education Foundation Survey."
## Survey Results
(1) App-based learning is dominated by "Online Learning," "Math Practice," and "Checking Answers."
We conducted a survey of 8th graders in five countries (US, UK, France, South Africa, China) on "to what extent do you use apps on smartphones or tablets for studying?"
According to the comparison by country in Figure 1(a), the total of "often use" and "sometimes use" exceeds 90% in South Africa and China, showing that apps are established as learning tools compared to other countries. On the other hand, in France, the total remains at about 70%, and the proportion of respondents who answered "often use" was 20%, the lowest among the five countries.
Furthermore, when we asked app users about their specific purposes of use [Figure 1(b)], the usage rates of "Online Learning," "Math Practice," and "Checking Answers" were high in four countries excluding France. Particularly in the US, the UK, and China, nearly half of app users selected "Online Learning," suggesting that a culture of studying in an optimal environment tailored to individual needs, unconstrained by time or place, may have taken root.
(2) High utilization rate of "Math Practice Apps" among high-achieving students
To clarify the difference in apps used based on calculation ability, we conducted a test using 32 basic calculation problems. We divided respondents into four groups based on their results, defining the top 25% as the "top-tier" and the bottom 25% as the "bottom-tier" to confirm differences in app usage rates [Figure 2(a)].
Focusing on "Math Practice Apps," there was a clear gap in usage frequency between the top and bottom tiers in four countries excluding South Africa. In the UK, high-achieving students also tend to use study recording/management apps and online learning, suggesting the possibility that the utilization of online platforms influences learning outcomes. Figure 2(b) shows the specific usage rates of math practice apps by performance tier. Notably, in France, the high "non-usage rate" among the bottom tier was prominent.
However, caution is required in concluding from these results that "the use of math practice apps brought about direct improvement in calculation ability." It is generally known that academic performance is strongly correlated with a family's socioeconomic background (SES). Therefore, one should also consider the influence of background factors, such as the fact that the top tier has easier access to digital devices and high-quality learning content due to higher SES, resulting in higher app usage rates and higher performance.
(3) Popular apps and their backgrounds as seen in free-text responses
We asked education app users specifically about the names of apps they actually use. We tabulated the free-text responses by country and extracted the top three apps with the highest number of respondents. Below, we explain the functions and features of the top-ranked apps.
- US, UK, France, South Africa: Duolingo
Duolingo, a foreign language education app, was common in four countries excluding China. While a math course was released in 2025, its deployment status varies by country, and future trends regarding its influence on math learning are noteworthy.
- US, UK, South Africa: Khan Academy
Khan Academy was frequently mentioned in three countries. It features adaptive learning where the difficulty of problems changes according to correctness, set with lecture videos and practice problems. Learning status is visualized in five stages from "Not Started" to "Mastered."
- US, France, South Africa: Quizlet
Quizlet is a learning app where users can efficiently learn with flashcards made by themselves or others. Teachers can incorporate various learning modes or the competitive game "Quizlet Live" into classes, enabling high-quality class creation that students enjoy.
- UK: BBC Bitesize
This is a learning site compliant with UK public education, boasting a high usage rate. It has a strong aspect as a review of class content or a check test, and since it is often assigned as school homework, it is deeply rooted in UK students.
- France: PRONOTE
This is a school life management app introduced in 90% of public middle and high schools in France. Its biggest feature is that access to all information in school life and communication functions are consolidated.
- China: Zuoyebang, Yuanfudao, Xueersi
With the 2021 tutoring industry regulations, for-profit tutoring operations were banned in China. Consequently, major tutoring companies shifted their business models from "providing classes" to AI-equipped learning apps or selling dedicated learning terminals.
- Zuoyebang: Originally spread as a search app where answers are displayed by taking a photo of a problem, it is now deeply expanded into areas such as learning terminal development. The function of analyzing weaknesses via AI from vast data and generating individual practice problems is supported.
- Yuanfudao: Deploys various AI-driven education apps. It has functions such as recognizing handwritten characters just by placing homework under a camera to instantly present grading and explanation videos, utilized as a tool to reduce the burden of learning management for parents.
- Xueersi: A major project of TAL Education Group. Its dedicated learning terminals focus on guiding the thinking process rather than simply teaching answers. It is equipped with a "Deep Thinking Mode" using a high-performance DeepSeek model, presenting hints in stages for unsolvable problems, and is popular in urban areas as a tool to support autonomous learning.
## Conclusion
The results of this survey revealed that there is a large difference in the penetration of education apps by country. While education apps are deeply established in China and South Africa, there are countries like France where utilization is limited.
In addition, it was confirmed that in many countries, there is a tendency for high-achieving students to utilize math practice apps more proactively. However, it must be noted that a family's socioeconomic background (SES) may influence this. It cannot be denied that the difference in family circumstances, such as whether they are in an environment where they can use devices or have access to high-quality content, leads to differences in academic ability. These challenges regarding educational inequality need to be carefully monitored in the future.
Furthermore, analysis of the apps used showed that while there are common apps used worldwide, some apps have evolved uniquely in their countries. Considering these technological innovations, the roles and functions of education apps are expected to change dramatically as generative AI evolves further. Following these global technological trends while benchmarking advanced cases, Japanese education apps will likely need to continue their own development. Simultaneously, continuous research and precise verification are required regarding the effectiveness of whether the utilization of digital tools is truly contributing to the improvement of learners' academic ability.
### Supplement: Overview of Calculation Test Implementation
- Test Content: Basic calculation problems following the calculation field of the International Basic Academic Proficiency Test (TOFAS).
- Problem Composition: Review of elementary school math, fractions, positive and negative numbers, algebraic expressions, equations, calculation of expressions, simultaneous equations.
- Number of problems: 32 problems.
- Time limit: 15 minutes.
### Supplement: Survey Item Contents
- Q1: How much do you use apps on your smartphone or tablet for studying? (Excluding school/tutoring classes)
- Options: Often use / Sometimes use / Have tried using / Have never used at all
- Q2: What kind of apps do you use for studying? (Select all that apply)
- Options: Apps for recording study/managing learning / Online learning apps / Foreign language apps / Native language apps / Math practice apps / English vocabulary apps / Answer check apps / Dictionary apps / Other
- Q3: Please tell us the names of up to 5 apps you often use for studying.
## About the Sprix Education Foundation
The Sprix Education Foundation aims to contribute to the healthy development of youth by providing scholarships to students in need of social support, as well as conducting research on education and publishing the results widely to the general public.
- Name: Sprix Education Foundation
- Established: April 2023
- Representative Director: Hiroyuki Tsuneishi
- Business Description: Scholarship provision, research and studies
- Website: https://sprix-foundation.org/