Leading e-competent schools- implementing digital learning resources

Anita Townsend, Sandra Sangster
townsendac@rogers.com. ssangster@scdsb.on.ca
ACT Consulting Solutions Inc., Ontario Canada, Simcoe County District School Board, Ontario Canada

Povzetek

Namen tega pilotnega projekta je ugotoviti vpliv uporabe digitalnega učnega gradiva izrecno pri delu in dosežkih učencev. V raziskavi so sodelovali 13- in 14-letniki. Podatki, ki se navezujejo na dosežke dijakov, so bili pridobljeni iz obstoječih šolskih in drugih podatkovnih zbirk in obvestil o šolskem uspehu ter ocenjevalnih orodij. Podatki o delu učencev so bili pridobljeni iz anket in fokusnih skupin.
Prek anket, fokusnih skupin in opazovanja je bilo jasno razvidno, da je uporaba interaktivnih digitalnih gradiv za učence bolj zanimiva. Učenci so bili za naloge bolj zavzeti, zvišala se je stopnja dokončanja nalog, izboljšalo se je sodelovanje med učenci, njihovo delo je postalo bolj natančno in premišljeno. Bilo pa je tudi nekaj dejavnikov, na katere raziskovalci niso imeli vpliva in so posledično do neke mere vplivali na rezultate. To so bili predvsem pomanjkanje odprte in stabilne infrastrukture šolskega sistema in omejen dostop učencev do računalnikov.
Na podlagi teh podatkov in izvedbenih postopkov v šolah bi morali sprejeti odločitve o tem, ali izvesti sistematično uvajanje in kateri postopki bi bili potrebni za zagotavljanje uspehov pri učencih v celotnem šolskem okrožju.

Ključne besede: digitalno učno gradivo, delo učencev, sodelovanje, dosežki učencev, profesionalno učenje

Abstract

This pilot project’s intent was to determine the impact of using digital learning materials specifically on student engagement and student achievement. The subjects in the study were thirteen and fourteen year olds. Data concerning student achievement was collected from existing school and board wide data bases using report card marks and system assessment tools. Data for Student engagement was gathered from surveys and focus groups.

Through the use of surveys, focus groups and observation it was evident that the use of interactive digital materials on line were more engaging to students. Students were more focussed on the task, work completion increased, student collaboration improved and there was more evidence of greater detail and higher order thinking in student work. There were factors that the researchers were not able to control which impacted results to some degree. Those were lack of an open and robust school system infrastructure as well as limited access to computers for students.

In looking at these data and the school based implementation processes decisions would be made on whether to do a systemic deployment and what processes would need to be in place to ensure success for students throughout the school district.

Key words: digital learning materials, student engagement, collaboration, student achievement, professional learning.