Learning and Teaching Scotland
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In December 2006, Learning and Teaching Scotland contracted SurveyDigital to carry out a combined evaluation of the GridClub and SuperClubPlus websites.

Originally a single, government-funded initiative developed for children aged 6 to 12, the two separated in 2004. GridClub provides online resources and games which underpin learning activities and consolidate work addressed in the curriculum. SuperClubsPLUS allows children to communicate in a safe online community, send emails, build personalised web pages and develop their ICT skills.

The evaluation took place between January and May 2007 and research findings were published in June 2007.

Evaluation aim

To determine levels of awareness and usage of GridClub and SuperClubsPLUS among intended audiences, identify educational benefits, measure the impact and satisfaction of the service components and collect recommendations from users including 'good practice' case studies.

Research method

The research was undertaken in two phases. Phase one involved the distribution of online and paper questionnaires to a sample of teachers across Scotland to which 309 responses were received. Additionally, teachers were asked to distribute online and paper questionnaires to their pupils (791 responses were received). Finally, 36 parents completed questionnaires online. Phase two involved the development of five good practice case studies based on interviews with teachers.

Awareness and levels of use:

• All respondents valued both services highly, although levels of awareness of certain GridClub sections were low.
• Nearly 60% of teachers using GridClub used it for up to one hour per week, 25% said they used it for up to 2.5 hours. Over half of parents said it was used at home and 33% said it was used several times per week. 56% of pupils said they used it once or twice a week.
• 44% of teachers said their classes used SuperClubPLUS for up to one hour per week, 32% used it for up to 2.5 hours. Most parents said their child used it at home -  56% used it daily, while 44% indicated it was used several times a week. 47% of pupils used it once or twice a week whilst 21% used it daily.
• Teachers believed the curricular areas most exploited by SuperClubsPLUS were ICT, English language, and personal and social development .
• The curricular areas most exploited by GridClub were mathematics, English language, ICT, and people and the past.
• The main barriers to accessing both sites were local authority firewalls, lack of time and, in some cases, inadequately specified school systems.

Perceived educational benefits and impact:

• Benefits identified by teachers of GridClub and SuperClubsPLUS included development of pupils' ICT skills, engagement of pupils in learning and support of key curricular areas.
• Parents also recognised that the services were improving their child’s ICT skills and ability to work independently, while pupils believed the autonomous learning encouraged them to become more interested in their work and improve their attainment. For example, 39% of pupils felt GridClub helped them improve their attainment.
• 96% of teachers felt using GridClub had some or a significant impact on their teaching and 97% felt it had some or a significant impact on their pupils' learning behaviours.
• 92% of teachers felt SuperClubsPLUS had some or a significant impact on their teaching with 98% saying it had some or a significant impact on their pupils' learning behaviour.
• Teachers and parents felt both services had also encouraged home-school links and interaction between pupil and teacher.

Satisfaction:

• 99% of teachers and 100% of parents said they were either very satisfied or quite satisfied with GridClub.
• Pupils were enthusiastic about the games elements of GridClub. Those who used something else, either as well or in place of GridClub recommended a huge variety of educational, sports, games and other sites. The top site of all was MSN.
• 100% of teachers were very satisfied or quite satisfied with SuperClubsPLUS.
• 90% of parents indicated they were very satisfied or quite satisfied with SuperClubsPLUS. 95% found it very useful or quite useful.

User recommendations:

• Teachers who did not access GridClub or SuperClubsPLUS said they would be encouraged to do so if materials were more relevant or they had greater support from schools or local authorities.
• Parents and teachers felt both services would benefit from new technologies, eg podcasts, and more Scotland-specific material. 77% of teachers who used GridClub wanted more Scotland-specific material and 53% wanted new technologies.
• Pupils accessing SuperClubsPLUS wanted to see more games, a feature better suited to GridClub. Of those using GridClub, 34% wanted more games, 25% were interested in more activities and 12% wanted the service to provide them help with their homework. 

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