Evaluation of Digital Resources for Scottish Schools (2006)
In 2004, The Scottish Executive Education Department approved funding through the National Grid for Learning Scotland to make a range of digital resources available to Scottish education through the Digital Resources for Scottish Schools initiative, managed by Learning and Teaching Scotland. Five pieces of procured software were distributed directly to schools by LTS or by local authorities.
LTS commissioned SurveyDigital to carry out an evaluation of the Digital Resources for Scottish Schools project between April and June 2006.
Evaluation aim
The aim of the research was to evaluate the distribution and classroom usage of the procured software issued to primary and secondary schools and nurseries, and of the contribution it had made to learning within schools and nurseries.
Research method
Work on the evaluation was divided into separate areas of activity. Firstly, a questionnaire was issued to all schools and nurseries in Scotland exploring use of the software, barriers to use and benefits of the software packages. The questionnaire was followed by a series of telephone focus groups in which survey respondents were asked to discuss their opinions in an open forum.
At the same time, interviews with local authority officers were undertaken to explore their experiences of the Digital Resources for Scottish Schools project. A final stage of research involved drawing up case studies illustrating the impact of the software on teaching and learning.
Key findings
Distribution and awareness:
- Many schools claimed never to have received the software.
- It appeared that many packages were mislaid or misdirected as a result of internal systems in schools.
- Some schools were not expecting the software.
Barriers to use:
- Many teachers had already invested time and energy in learning other similar titles.
- Lack of time to install and learn software hampered its use.
Value and benefits:
- Those schools using Clicker 4 have given it a high approval rating. It is being widely used, especially for children with additional support needs.
- Mind mapping is widely used and both Kidspiration and Inspiration have found homes in many classrooms. It is being used for a diverse range of tasks, including written work planning.
- Teachers using Crocodile Clips were pleased with the ability to use it for experiments outside the scope or the real-time nature of school laboratory.
Licensing:
- Many schools already had licences for the software.
- The number of licences was often larger than the number of computers in smaller schools.
Recommendations
- Send software directly to the person for whom it is intended - particularly in secondary schools.
- Information sent to headteachers for 'distribution' often gets misdirected or disappears.
- Keep sending software as schools cannot afford licences otherwise.
Full report
Please contact the Research team (research@LTScotland.org.uk) for copies of the full report.