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European e-Learning Forum for Education – ELFE

ELFE. European e-Learning Forum for Education – ELFE. Conference 21-22 November2005. Summary of findings Tjeerd Plomp University of Twente Enschede, the Netherlands. ELFE. Three Aims:. Conference 21-22 November2005.

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European e-Learning Forum for Education – ELFE

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  1. ELFE European e-Learning Forum for Education – ELFE Conference 21-22 November2005 Summary of findings Tjeerd Plomp University of Twente Enschede, the Netherlands ELFE 051121

  2. ELFE Three Aims: Conference 21-22 November2005 #1: Analyse and share good experiences and identify good practices in using ICT in schools – ELFE teams to schools #2: Study the possibilities of transferring these good practices to other schools and countries – school-to-school visits #3: Create a debate on how a European policy on e-Learning and use of ICT in education - conferences ELFE 051121

  3. ELFE This presentation: Conference 21-22 November2005 Conceptualization School visits Selection of schools Findings: ICT use and infrastructure Experiences of/in schools School-to-school visits ELFE 051121

  4. ELFE Some general ‘wisdom’ Conference 21-22 November2005 ICT is means, not goal in itself Our society has transformed from an industrial society into an information or knowledge society => Have consequences for education and for how schools function and teachers teach In 21st century our perception of what is ‘good’ education has to change – this pertains to all components of the teaching-learning (T/L) process ELFE 051121

  5. ELFE Components of the Teaching/Learning process Conference 21-22 November2005 ELFE 051121

  6. Learning: interaction between actors and goals of education and p t n e l m a e n g n and n a g c i i o n h c n n a a s g u m o c l aims t i n content g learning process student teacher materials & infra structure ELFE 051121

  7. ELFE Good education for 21st century: • may mean different things dependent on context and choices made, e.g., • existing goals and content, but ‘innovative’ pedagogy • new goals and content, with new pedagogy (e.g. ‘non-traditional’ grouping, location, time and/or assessment) • ICT as instrument in realizing changes Important: change is a PROCESS not an EVENT Conference 21-22 November2005 ELFE 051121

  8. Possible shifts in pedagogy (adapted from Kozma et al., 1999) ELFE 051121

  9. Possible shiftsin pedagogy (contd) (adapted from Kozma et al., 1999) ELFE 051121

  10. ELFE Good education for 21st century: A good balance between what is traditionally valued and what is needed in an information society. as stated - it may mean different things in different schools and in different countries, dependent on context and choices made. But we believe that using ICT is key in realizing changes Conference 21-22 November2005 ELFE 051121

  11. ELFE Criteria for selecting schools Conference 21-22 November2005 General: ‘normal’ schools, i.e. no specific ICT projects Mixture of primary & secondary schools Specific: ICT use aimed at pedagogical innovation – new methods and/or new goals ICT intensively used in teaching-learning in school as a whole ELFE 051121

  12. ELFE Implications for project Conference 21-22 November2005 Great variation in 15 schools selected: in pedagogical approaches and in ICT applications in degree of dissemination and use of ICT, BUT: all school have policy aimed at integrating ICT in teaching & learning See Summary – Table on p.3 ELFE 051121

  13. ELFE Implications for project Conference 21-22 November2005 The small number of schools does not allow for any statistical generalisation But: the analysis of the cases form a rich input for discussions, reflections and recommendations on use of ICT in education recommendations. ELFE 051121

  14. ELFE Approach for school visits Conference 21-22 November2005 AIM #1: identify good experiences and good practices in using ICT in schools Data collection and reporting structured according to two perspectives: ICT use and infrastructure Experiences of/in schools Each perspective elaborated in a a number of analysis questions. ELFE 051121

  15. ELFE Approach for school visits Conference 21-22 November2005 ELFE team visited schools for 1 day Interviews with: Principal Innovative teachers and ICT coordinator ‘other’ teachers Students Questionnaires to Principal and ICT coordinator (adapted from IEA SITES-M2 study) ELFE 051121

  16. ELFE Approach for school visits Conference 21-22 November2005 Data collection and reporting structured according to analysis questions. Per school: Narrative report: for use by school and to be placed on ELFE website Structured data report: for cross-case analysis ELFE 051121

  17. ELFE Findings – ICT use & infrastructure Conference 21-22 November2005 Important educational goals for using ICT: to develop students’ independence and responsibility for own learning to promote active learning strategies (individualizing, projects, etc) to improve student achievement to prepare students for future jobs. school leaders: good balance between what is traditionally valued and what is considered important in the 21st century ELFE 051121

  18. ELFE Findings – ICT use & infrastructure Conference 21-22 November2005 ICT related policies: Students can access external databases via WWW Majority of schools: teachers and students can email via school Many schools relieved teaching load for few teachers to support colleagues (10/14) Most schools address issue of norms and values in using Internet/WWW (12/14) Only 8/14 schools have written policy! ELFE 051121

  19. ELFE Findings – ICT use & infrastructureHardware Conference 21-22 November2005 Most schools stud:comp ratio <6 Mostly multimedia computers in LAN with access to Internet and WWW Placed in various locations – special areas for individual and small group work important! – often a problem Peripherals adequate for use NOTE: innovativeness of ICT use not dependent on amount of ICT! ELFE 051121

  20. ELFE Findings – ICT use & infrastructureSoftware Conference 21-22 November2005 All schools software according to need: general application software digital learning resources (esp for math, sciences, languages, informatics) network/communication tools, computer and digital tools: Learning and communication platforms (like Digital Brain, ClassFronter, First Class) are crucial in realising major innovations ELFE 051121

  21. ELFE Findings – ICT use & infrastructureSupport Conference 21-22 November2005 Support a key factor! Integration of ICT in T/L evokes need for new type of support (staff) in schools Both technical and pedagogical support staff needed Sometimes: techn support at municpl/ regional level, but also schools without Often: relieved teaching load for few teachers to support colleagues (10/14) ELFE 051121

  22. ELFE Findings – ICT use & infrastructureStaff development Conference 21-22 November2005 Another key factor! Almost all schools (13/14) have policies and provide facilities often outside school often regionally/locally co-ordinated In most schools distinction between focus on ICT (ECDL) and pedagogical use of ICT (PCDL) In DK, EN, NW: national policy! ELFE 051121

  23. ELFE Findings – Experiences of schools Conference 21-22 November2005 Not school descriptions! But: Observations and conclusions from interviews and questionnaires ELFE 051121

  24. ELFE Findings – Experiences of schools Conference 21-22 November2005 Does use of ICT make a difference? Learning goals changed to some extent: next to ‘traditional’ subjects, new ones such as promoting active learning, and developing independent learning skills, information handling skills, communication and collaboration skills Content changed to some extent: ‘new methods become new content’ also integration of subjects in project-based learning ELFE 051121

  25. ELFE Findings – Experiences of schools Conference 21-22 November2005 Does use of ICT make a difference? (cont) New materials and resources: web-based, via systems like Digital Brain, via communication with experts, teacher development and exchange, etc. Changes in grouping: indiv and small grp learning – communctn facilitated by ICT! NOTES: variation in methods increases with use of ICT studs in one school: small group work more on how to work, less on content part ELFE 051121

  26. ELFE Findings – Experiences of schools Conference 21-22 November2005 Does use of ICT make a difference? (cont) Changes in location and time: project-based and independent learning supported by ICT often outside classroom; also often not according to school time table (e.g. project weeks/days) Infrastructure important: Learning & communication platforms Physical environment of/in school ELFE 051121

  27. ELFE Findings – Experiences of schools Conference 21-22 November2005 Does use of ICT make a difference? (cont) Also totally new forms of arranging T/L: e.g. in Norway: distance education approaches – form of ‘distributed learning’ in upper 2nd vocational educ: students work from home and do internships at local busineses, whilst communicating with teachers via @ - only few times per year to the school. ELFE 051121

  28. ELFE Findings – Experiences of schools Conference 21-22 November2005 Does use of ICT make a difference? (cont) Changes in student assessment & evaluation Not much changed! Although examples: electronic portfolio’s (projects, indiv tasks) software tools for formative evaluation in DK use of computer in final exams ELFE 051121

  29. ELFE Findings – Experiences of schools Conference 21-22 November2005 Does use of ICT make a difference? (cont) Changes in student assessment & evaluation But also in number of schools: national paper and pencil examinations ‘conserve’ traditional methods of teaching and assessing students’ progress! NW school: no approval from govt to use ICT in final exams, where all stud evaluation is ICT-based => experienced as problem! ELFE 051121

  30. ELFE Findings – Experiences of schools:Teachers’ perspective Conference 21-22 November2005 Important to realise: Integration of ICT in T/L combined with adapting to needs of 21st century (new competencies) is complex, multidimensional change: change in materials change in pedagogical methods change in beliefs of what is good education ELFE 051121

  31. ELFE Findings – Experiences of schools:Teachers’ perspective Conference 21-22 November2005 Vision on teaching and learning: - teachers clearly support 21st century goals(such as acquire 'productive' skills, problem solving skills, independent learning skills and/or skills for life long learning such as information handling, collaboration and communication skills) - where management & communication platforms are used ICT also used to enhance teaching (e.g. less admin tasks) ELFE 051121

  32. ELFE Findings – Experiences of schools:Teachers’ perspective Conference 21-22 November2005 Approaches to teaching and learning – one scenario emerges: project-based learning: small groups or indiv tasks with teachers in role of facilitator: - ICT provides studs with access to a variety of resources (via Internet &WWW). - often multidisciplinary projects in which teachers of various subjects are collaborating in supporting and coaching ELFE 051121

  33. ELFE Findings – Experiences of schools:Teachers’ perspective Conference 21-22 November2005 Approaches to teaching and learning – project-based learning scenario : - students are ‘challenged’ to develop and/or apply new skills, such as information handling – problem solving - collaboration, communication & presentation skills ELFE 051121

  34. ELFE Findings – Experiences of schools:Teachers’ perspective Conference 21-22 November2005 Approaches to teaching and learning project-based learning – a observations: - Teachers using ‘platforms’ consider these indispensable! - in some countries this approach part of natl policy – but ELFE teachers convinced! Some warnings by students: - Teacher is ‘not as rich’ in comp room - Tchers assume studs can work in projects ELFE 051121

  35. ELFE Findings – Experiences of schools:Teachers’ perspective Conference 21-22 November2005 Perception of impact of ICT students are better motivated, having increased self-esteem and developing new competences in some cases better learning results are mentioned (often impressions) the more open relationships with students is much appreciated, and teachers experience the collaboration with other teachers as enriching. ELFE 051121

  36. ELFE Findings – Experiences of schools:Teachers’perspective Conference 21-22 November2005 Perception of impact of ICT - Warning: students who cannot organize themselves have problems with project-based learning – need extra attention! - in many schools: teachers mention lack of interest or even disagreement of number of colleagues - gender issue: ‘technology not for women’? ELFE 051121

  37. ELFE Findings – Experiences of schools:Students’ perspective Conference 21-22 November2005 Students say that they do the following: - collaborative learning (projects) with ICT - communication (with teachers, sometimes with peers in other countries) - use WWW for searching information - sometimes: teach teachers and help peers Students like using ICT and have no problems working with it ELFE 051121

  38. ELFE Findings – Experiences of schools:Students’ perspective Conference 21-22 November2005 Some concerns: - Students in one school: evaluation of own work when working in small groups! Some principals and teachers about studs: - Students copy from websites and each other - Skills to evaluate quality of web-based materials have to be developed - Students tend to forget other (non-ICT) learning resources ELFE 051121

  39. ELFE Findings – Experiences of schools:Students’ problems Conference 21-22 November2005 on ICT skills: - Introduction to computers and (complicated) software only at beginning of school year is not enough! - Keyboard skills lacking - Differences in ICT skills may frustrate collaboration in projects ELFE 051121

  40. ELFE Findings – Experiences of schools:Students’ problems Conference 21-22 November2005 on motivation and methods: - Too much ICT may become boring – mixed methods preferred (UK school) - Methods of working on ICT-related task too prescribed (PT school) BUT dominant feature: students like working with ICT! ELFE 051121

  41. ELFE Findings – Experiences of schools:Students’ problems Conference 21-22 November2005 on infrastructure: - In some schools: wish to have more computers and copies of software In some schools: computers old and system slow General: schools may have problems to keep infrastr up-to-date, whilst many students have at home newest equipmt ELFE 051121

  42. ELFE Findings – Experiences of schools:Influencing factors Conference 21-22 November2005 Already mentioned: - Good infrastructure - Support for teachers (technical, pedagog) - Staff development: policy + facilities (e.g. tims for external course, site visits, etc) ELFE 051121

  43. ELFE Findings – Experiences of schools:Influencing factors Conference 21-22 November2005 Further: - Clear vision, policy and strategy of what school want to accomplish - Supportive leadership in school - Monitoring the processes of change - ICT becoming part of school’s culture ELFE 051121

  44. ELFE Findings – Experiences of schools:Influencing factors Conference 21-22 November2005 ICT becoming part of school’s culture not fully realized in all schools BUT esp in schools with learning mangmt & communication platforms ICT has contributed to new school culture and to school development e.g. other communication patterns, other relationships between teachers, and teachers and students. ELFE 051121

  45. ELFE Findings – Experiences of schools:Influencing factors Conference 21-22 November2005 External factors: - national, regional and/or local policies and support (financial, facilities) - parents and (in some cases) local communities supportive- although not always clear how this goes beyond ‘liking and welcoming’ developments - BUT vocational schools much support from local business and industry (NW & GM) ELFE 051121

  46. ELFE Findings – Experiences of schools:Sustainability Conference 21-22 November2005 Developments in all schools are sustainable: intensive use of ICT for teaching and learning is accepted in the school and has a fixed position in it; whilst there are no outside obstacles for keeping this situation alive. Although some concerns in some schools ELFE 051121

  47. ELFE Findings – Experiences of schools:Sustainability Conference 21-22 November2005 Some concerns mentioned: Part of teachers has ‘not for me’ attitude Sufficient freedom in developing innovative pedagogy centralizes systems? Sufficient structural budgets to update and expand infrastructure? Not only for hardware/software, but also to develop proper support structure ELFE 051121

  48. ELFE Aim #2: transferring good practices to other schools and countries Conference 21-22 November2005 Method: school-to-school visits (2 teachers) - Good first step in disseminating good practices, but too soon to observe effects - Visits illuminating for most schools: Could see other policies and practices Could value own position – often not only different, but also ‘better’ on certain aspects. ELFE 051121

  49. ELFE Aim #2: transferring good practices to other schools and countries:a few observations Conference 21-22 November2005 from countries with centralized educ system: - EN teachers in NW: “pupils greater independence from teachers, and teachers greater independence from national curriculum: it can work!” - PT teachers: centralized education system limits developing flexible and multidisciplinary T/L environments ELFE 051121

  50. ELFE Aim #2: transferring good practices to other schools and countries:a few observations Conference 21-22 November2005 - Importance of schools having a policy and strategic plan to guide educational renewal and utilization of ICT - With good technical and pedagogical support teachers can indeed focus on their core task: teaching utilizing ICT Also: admiration and contradictions ELFE 051121

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