Does ICT help reduce teacher Does ICT help reduce teacher workload?workload?

Key issue addressed by the studyKey issue addressed by the study

The study, part of a larger evaluation, exploredThe study, part of a larger evaluation, explored– what difference computers, software and training what difference computers, software and training

made to teachers’ use of and views on ICT in their made to teachers’ use of and views on ICT in their work in schoolwork in school

Teachers’ initial views about potential Teachers’ initial views about potential usefulness of ICTusefulness of ICT At the start of the one-year study At the start of the one-year study

few of the teachers felt ICT was few of the teachers felt ICT was useful for lessening workload i.e. useful for lessening workload i.e. onlyonly– 8% of the special school teachers8% of the special school teachers– 15% of the primary teachers15% of the primary teachers

– 10% of secondary teachers10% of secondary teachers

Teachers’ views at the end of the studyTeachers’ views at the end of the study

By the end of the study many teachers had By the end of the study many teachers had become positive about the use of ICT for become positive about the use of ICT for reducing workloadreducing workload– 33% of teachers in special schools33% of teachers in special schools– 46% of primary school teachers 46% of primary school teachers

– 36% of secondary school36% of secondary school teachersteachers

What teachers thought ICT was useful What teachers thought ICT was useful

forfor Teachers suggested using ICT forTeachers suggested using ICT for

– creating reusable teaching materialscreating reusable teaching materials– sharing teaching materials and lesson plans sharing teaching materials and lesson plans – giving students access to materials out of hoursgiving students access to materials out of hours– producing multimedia materials producing multimedia materials – monitoring attendance and progressmonitoring attendance and progress

Factors which made teachers feel more Factors which made teachers feel more positive about using ICTpositive about using ICT

These includedThese included– greater access to ICT, e.g. greater access to ICT, e.g.

sole use of a laptopsole use of a laptop– getting more involved in getting more involved in

using ICT e.g. whiteboards using ICT e.g. whiteboards – growth in confidencegrowth in confidence– better training (although better training (although

teachers’ satisfaction levels teachers’ satisfaction levels with training still low) with training still low)

What the ICT project consisted ofWhat the ICT project consisted of

The 32 schools were involved in the DCSF The 32 schools were involved in the DCSF Transforming the School Workforce (TSW) Transforming the School Workforce (TSW) Pathfinder project Pathfinder project

Schools devised action plans and worked within Schools devised action plans and worked within a change framework led by the London a change framework led by the London Leadership CentreLeadership Centre

Schools received support and training from a Schools received support and training from a school workforce advisorschool workforce advisor

Who was involved in the study?Who was involved in the study?

800 teachers plus other staff e.g. TAs 800 teachers plus other staff e.g. TAs from 32 schools (four special, 16 primary and 12 from 32 schools (four special, 16 primary and 12

secondary) secondary)

How was the information gathered?How was the information gathered?

Questionnaires before and after the project (1578 Questionnaires before and after the project (1578 completed)completed)

Interviews with a representative sample of school staff Interviews with a representative sample of school staff (359)(359)

How can teachers use this evidence?How can teachers use this evidence?

The study indicated that getting more involved in The study indicated that getting more involved in using ICT was key to developing more positive using ICT was key to developing more positive views of ICT among staffviews of ICT among staff

Could you share ideas with colleagues about Could you share ideas with colleagues about ways ICT could help (for example, in preparing ways ICT could help (for example, in preparing resources, and monitoring student progress resources, and monitoring student progress etc)?etc)?

Could you work with a partner to design some Could you work with a partner to design some mixed media activities for a particular school, mixed media activities for a particular school, year group or departmental project that has to year group or departmental project that has to happen anyway?happen anyway?

How can school leaders use this How can school leaders use this evidence?evidence? The study indicated that teachers’ levels of The study indicated that teachers’ levels of

satisfaction with ICT training were not highsatisfaction with ICT training were not high When organising ICT training for your When organising ICT training for your

colleagues, would it help to find out what they colleagues, would it help to find out what they know and can do already? know and can do already?

Can you link ICT training with collaborative Can you link ICT training with collaborative coaching or enquiry so that colleagues see it coaching or enquiry so that colleagues see it from the start as a means of enhancing and from the start as a means of enhancing and building on their existing practice?building on their existing practice?

Follow-up readingFollow-up reading

Study reference: Selwood, I., & Pilkington, R. Study reference: Selwood, I., & Pilkington, R. (2005) Teacher Workload: using ICT to release (2005) Teacher Workload: using ICT to release time to teach time to teach Educational ReviewEducational Review, Vol 57 (2) , Vol 57 (2) 2005 pp.163-1742005 pp.163-174

You might like to read a digest of this study at: You might like to read a digest of this study at: www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/research/themes/ict/usingICT/

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