This study aimed to analyze elementary school teachers’ needs regarding the functions of AI-based digital English textbooks. Data were collected from a survey of 96 elementary school teachers. First, a paired sample t-test was first used to examine differences between perceived importance and current implementation. Borich’s needs assessment model was then applied to identify priority items, and the Locus for Focus model was followed visualize them. Finally, a comprehensive analysis was conducted to determine the most urgent needs. Results showed that among five categories—Diagnostic and Evaluation Functions, Support for Personalized Instructional Design, Adaptive Learning Support, AI Tutor and Assistant Teacher, and Dashboard and User Interface—the highest need was in Diagnostic and Evaluation Functions. Personalized Instructional Design and Adaptive Learning Support also showed high demand. These findings suggest that AI-based digital textbooks remain in a developmental phase, requiring further discussion on how to implement them effectively according to subject-specific needs.

Background: Individuals with pes planus tend to overuse the extrinsic foot muscles, such as the tibialis anterior (TA) and peroneus longus (PL), to compensate for the weakened intrinsic foot muscles, such as the abductor hallucis (AbdH). Furthermore, differences in weight-bearing can affect the activity of muscles in both the intrinsic and extrinsic foot muscles. To date, no study has compared the effects of the short foot exercise (SFE) and toe spread-out exercise (TSO) on intrinsic and extrinsic foot muscle activity and the corresponding ratios in different weight-bearing positions. Objects: To compare the effects of the SFE and TSO on AbdH, TA, and PL activity and the AbdH/TA and AbdH/PL activity ratios in the sitting and standing positions in individuals with pes planus. Methods: Twenty participants with pes planus were recruited. Surface electromyography was used to assess the amplitudes of AbdH, TA, and PL activity. Participants performed both exercises while adopting both the sitting and standing positions. Results: No significant interaction between exercise and position was found regarding the activity of any muscle or ratio of the activity, except for PL activity. We observed a significant increase in AbdH activity during the TSO compared to the SFE, and no significant difference in TA and PL activity between the two exercises. AbdH, TA, and PL activity were significantly higher in the standing position than in the sitting position. Furthermore, the AbdH/PL activity ratio significantly increased in the sitting position, although there was a significant increase in AbdH activity in the standing position. Conclusion: In individuals with pes planus, we recommend performing the TSO in the sitting position, which may increase the activity of the AbdH while concurrently decreasing the activity of the TA and PL, thus strengthening the AbdH.