Evaluation of the Scottish Learning Festival 2007
Learning and Teaching Scotland commissioned an evaluation of the Scottish Learning Festival, an annual event focused on learning and teaching which aims to develop the education profession in Scotland. George Street Research was commissioned to undertake the evaluation, which began in August 2007 and was completed in May 2008.
Evaluation aim
The evaluation sought to assess the 2007 Scottish Learning Festival against its aim and objectives, and to explore the development of the Festival to date, informing the planning for the 2008 event and the delivery of future events.
Research method
The evaluation involved a number of different audiences, and used a range of different research tools. Desk research to review information from previous evaluations of the Scottish Learning Festival was followed by an online survey of 1,113 attendees from 2006, 2007, or both years. The survey informed ten focus groups with Scottish Learning Festival attendees and 30 in-depth interviews with a range of key stakeholders including schools, local authorities, national organisations and the Scottish Government. The researchers also completed 101 semi-structured telephone interviews with non-attendees of the Scottish Learning Festival.
Findings
Attendance patterns and trends
- There has been a steady increase in the number of people registering for and attending the Scottish Learning Festival between 2004 and 2007. Delegate numbers rose from 3,687 in 2004 to 5,613 in 2007.
- The Scottish Learning Festival continues to attract new attendees, with around 40% of attendees each year attending for the first time.
Attendance profile
- Higher proportions of headteachers, depute teachers and principal teachers were more likely to have attended the Scottish Learning Festival three or four times between 2004 and 2007, compared to teachers and other school staff.
Barriers to attendance
- Lack of awareness of the Scottish Learning Festival is not a key barrier to attendance. Rather, 33% of those who did not attend the Festival in 2007 reported that work commitments prevented their attendance, and 9% were unable to get time off work.
Experiences of the Scottish Learning Festival
- Views of the Scottish Learning Festival were largely positive. Among those who attended the Festival in 2006 or 2007, 92% agreed that they liked the broad coverage, and 89% agreed that it makes a valuable contribution to the development of learning and teaching in Scotland.
Impact of the Scottish Learning Festival
- Those who had attended the Scottish Learning Festival indicated that they had made changes to their educational practice as a result of attendance, with 4% reporting they had made changes to a great extent and 72% having made changes to some extent.
Recommendations
- Outreach events linked to the Scottish Learning Festival should be developed, so that those who cannot attend in person can share the experience.
- Measures should be taken to allow delegates to attend more seminars, keynote presentations and workshops.
- More opportunities for informal debate should be provided, including more fringe events such as Teachmeet, since this is felt to be one of the most valuable elements of the Scottish Learning Festival.
Full report
Please contact the research team (Research&StatisticsTeam@LTScotland.org.uk) for copies of the full report.