Evaluation of 'The Serf's Quest' (2005)
Evaluation of 'The Serf’s Quest' (2005)
Learning and Teaching Scotland commissioned Progressive Partnership to conduct an evaluation (April-June 2005) to measure the value and potential of 'The Serf’s Quest' resource.
'The Serf’s Quest' is a games-based learning tool developed by LTS. The resource is particularly suited to children studying the People in the Past aspect of the 5-14 national guidelines.
Research aim
The aim of the research was to determine the resource’s fit with the needs of the learning and teaching community, the levels of awareness and usage, the relevance of content to the appropriate element of the 5-14 curriculum and to gauge the relevance and applicability of the games-based learning concept to teaching.
Research methods
The methodology used included both quantitative and qualitative methods.
Quantitative self-completion fax-back surveys were sent to a sample of schools who had received the resource. This involved contacting schools in eight local authorities to gauge levels of awareness and usage. 186 survey responses were received.
Twenty qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with Gaelic and English-speaking schools that had used or had not used the resource. Additionally, three further telephone interviews were conducted with local authority representatives. This qualitative stage aimed to gain deeper insight into the relevance, use and potential future development of the resource. Four case studies have been developed.
Key findings
- Use of the resource is low due to a number of barriers including levels of awareness, perceived relevance, targeting, the technological nature of the resource and the perception that is a niche product.
- 179 schools were surveyed and only 20 of these were currently using ‘Serf’s Quest’.
- Of the 20 schools using the resource, 13 were using the English version and seven were using the Gaelic version.
- Ten of these schools were based in the Highlands, four were based in Fife and three were in the Western Isles.
- 22% of those surveyed did not know if the resource was being used or not.
- The high use in the Highlands area was noted and it was suggested that their approach could be adopted to prompt use by other councils, for example, through the use of training workshops and the writing of teaching notes.
Recommendations
- Overall penetration is low, primarily as a result of schools using it in very specific topic areas, eg when studying Wallace and Bruce, Scotland, Knights and Castles.
- Serf’s Quest is an extremely valuable resource for those that use it. Pupils who used the resource felt it was enjoyable and increased their motivation and concentration.
- To prompt greater use, the resource has to be applicable to other areas. Therefore, an additional wave of communication is recommended from LTS and via the endorsement of the local council.
- Furthermore, games-based learning of this type is welcomed, ostensibly as a tool to help consolidate learning. This style of learning is seen to be very beneficial for all topics that require an element of imagination or practical appraisal.
Full report
Please contact the Research team (research@LTScotland.org.uk) for copies of the full report.