What do Students Learn from Undokai? A Quantitative Content Analysis of Reflections in Japanese Schools

Undokai, a Japanese school sports festival, is widely implemented in schools and is assumed to offer learning opportunities beyond physical development. However, few studies have systematically examined students’ reflections using large-scale open-ended data, including differences by school stage and gender. This study aimed to clarify students’ perceived learning outcomes and self-growth through undokai and to examine (a) school-stage and gender differences in word-use patterns and (b) how word co-occurrence patterns vary according to students’ favorability toward undokai. Open-ended reflections were collected after undokai from 932 students in Japan (junior high school: n=425; elementary school: n=507) from two elementary schools and one junior high school. Responses were analyzed using quantitative content analysis supported by KH Coder, including co-occurrence network analysis with KWIC-based contextual checks, correspondence analysis with school stage and gender as external variables, and co-occurrence network analysis treating favorability ratings as an external variable. Favorability toward undokai was associated with co-occurrence patterns involving attitudes toward exercise and others’ gaze. Themes of perceived learning outcomes and self-growth were broadly consistent with educational goals articulated in the Courses of Study (e.g., solidarity/responsibility and fostering familiarity with exercise). Correspondence analysis indicated differences by school stage and gender: elementary students emphasized personal physical development, whereas junior high students highlighted relationships with peers and the school community; gender-related differences were more evident among junior high school students. Quantitative content analysis of large-scale student reflections helps clarify students’ perceived learning outcomes and self-growth through undokai, providing practical implications for developing instructional strategies that consider students’ favorability toward undokai, school stage, and gender in Japanese schools.