The final reports from the Evaluation of the ICT Test Bed project are now available.
The project undertook work on ICT implementation in three ICT Test Bed areas of social disadvantage. Two of these were within inner cities and one was in a rural area. The 28 ICT Test Bed Schools and departments in three colleges had access to high levels of ICT hardware and appropriate software, as well as support to make the most effective use of this investment.
Key findings from the research include:
* As technology was embedded, schools’ national test outcomes improved beyond expectations.
* Institutions that were more e-mature improved their performance levels significantly more quickly than those which were not. However, there was a dip in performance until the ICT became embedded and staff eveloped the requisite skills.
* Effective use of ICT personalised learning by enabling greater earner choice within the curriculum, improved assessment for learning nd more learner-directed teaching.
* The use of electronic registration improved attendance levels in some schools by three to four per cent, while behaviour management systems were perceived to have a positive impact on both behaviour and attendance.
* Where new technologies were introduced into all of a school’s classrooms at the same time, a culture of sharing and mutual support developed as the whole staff faced the task of embedding the technology into their pedagogy.
* ICT made it much easier to share assessment information with parents via school websites or learning platforms.
If you would like any further information on the evaluation please contact Helen Aston.
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