Evaluation of Ticket to Space (2005)
Ticket to Space is a classroom resource designed to support ‘Earth and Space’, part of the science strand of the 5-14 Curriculum at levels C-D. Ticket to Space was developed by Learning and Teaching Scotland in partnership with astronomers based at the Glasgow Science Centre. It provides both online and offline activities for teachers and pupils over a six-week period. The evaluation of the third Ticket to Space event in 2004 was undertaken by Survey Digital. This evaluation could therefore be compared with evaluations of the event undertaken in 2002 and 2003.
Evaluation aim
The overall aim of the research was to explore the impact of Ticket to Space on the learning and teaching experience of participants, and to inform stakeholders of the event’s potential.Research method
The evaluation was split into three phases. Firstly, a questionnaire was distributed to teachers, participants and local authority staff. This was followed by a telephone focus group in which respondents to the questionnaire were asked to discuss their opinions. Finally, a set of case studies was developed - based on the earlier stages of research - illustrating ways in which Ticket to Space could be used to inform approaches to learning outside the classroom, especially for subjects perceived as difficult. The initial questionnaire generated 92 responses, giving a response rate of 9%.
Key findings
- The percentage of respondents who found Ticket to Space 'very valuable' increased from 91% in 2002 to 93% between 2002 and 2004.
- The percentage of respondents who found Ticket to Space 'quite valuable' increased from 43% to 47% between 2002 and 2004.
- 40% of respondents indicated that increased motivation and enthusiasm amongst participants was the biggest single unplanned benefit.
- Overwhelmingly, 96% of respondents agree that blended learning - mixing online and classroom-based learning - has great potential.
- Each year of Ticket to Space has shown a steady increase in participation in a highly valued event.
Recommendations
- National initiatives offer themselves as natural partners to the delivery of learning in an online environment: for instance, citizenship education, enterprise education and Curriculum for Excellence all have opportunities that could be developed.
- Similar projects are likely to be strengthened where a natural partner, such as the Glasgow Science Centre, is willing to participate.
- Teachers, quality managers and advisers require assistance with technical issues; for instance, improved documentation to support software installation.
- Online facilities, such as school pairing and a search facility within the forums, were felt to be desirable.
Full report
Please contact the Research team (research@LTScotland.org.uk) for copies of the full report.