The Digital Education Revolution: Dr Sarah Howard University of Wollongong e/merge 2012 July The role of knowledge and technology practices in a large-scale 1-1 laptop initiative

Plan of paper 1.Digital Education Revolution in NSW 2.Conceptual framework: ‘LCT’ 3.Analysis –goals of DER-NSW –‘legitimation codes’ of NSW subject areas –examples of Mathematics and English in NSW –‘legitimation codes’ of Eastern Cape subject areas 4.Implications for: –understanding technology integration –future of the field 2

3 DER-NSW evaluation Digital Education Revolution in New South Wales (DER-NSW) –one-to-one laptop program for all Year 9 students and teachers Research questions: –How does the DER-NSW program influence teacher pedagogy? –What is the influence of the DER-NSW program on students’ understanding, skills, and attitudes? –What are the consequences of the DER-NSW program on students’ educational outcomes?

Mixed-methods explanatory model evaluation Phase 1: Questionnaires –Student A: Access to ICT and knowledge of ICT (n = 20,421, 2010; n = 3,514, 2011) –Student B: Beliefs about ICT, learning and integration (n = 18,591, 2010; n = 4,821) –Teacher : Use of, and beliefs about, ICT in teaching and learning (n = 4,663, 2010; n = 4,253) Phase 2: Five case study schools (n = ~40 teachers, n = ~40 students) Document analysis (e.g. curriculum, school policy, government policy, etc.) 4

5 Eastern Cape study Teacher Laptop Initiative (2010 TLI program) Research questions –How does use of technology influence teacher pedagogy? –What do teacher believe is the influence of technology on students’ understanding, skills, and attitudes? Data collection –Teacher questionnaire: Use of, and beliefs about, ICT in teaching and learning (n = 81) –Teacher interviews on use of, and beliefs about, ICT in teaching and learning (n = 16, Cape Town; n = 12, Grahamstown)

6 Law, N., Pelgrum, W. J., & Plomp, T. (Eds.). (2008). Pedagogy and ICT use in schools around the world: Findings from the IEA SITES 2006 study. Hong Kong: CERC-Springer.

7 LCT(Specialisation) objectsubject knowledge epistemic relation (ER) social relation (SR)  ER and SR can each be stronger (+) or weaker (-)  Two strengths give code for Specialisation

8 Specialisation codes of legitimation +ER -ER +SR -SR elite code knower code knowledge code relativist code

LCT in this paper 1.code practices desired by using technology (DER goals) 2.code knowledge practices (e.g. different subjects areas) 3.analyse relations between these codes to help explain differential integration of technology across the curriculum 9

10 Coding the DER-NSW “enable schools users to discover, access and share collaborative education materials and information” (DEEWR, 2010) Expect pedagogical shift: teacher-centred to student-centred Examples of support for Mathematics: –UCreate an audio podcast: episodes in a radio program, to a tutorial series, to audio blogging. –UCreate a laptop wrap: creating small websites for the classroom Generic emphasis on attributes of learners => DER-NSW aims for knower code (ER-, SR+).

Coding knowledge practices Sample questionnaire item: Sample interview item: 1. Do you integrate other computers, laptops or technology in your teaching? a.What is a typical way you might use computers, laptops or other technology in your teaching? b.Do you have any concerns about using computers, laptops or other technology in your teaching? c.Could you tell us about a specific lesson that illustrates why you do or do not integrate computers or other technology into your teaching? 11

ER- ER+ SR+SR- elite code knower code knowledge code relativist code

13 Typical structure of a Mathematics lesson Review homework (practice) from previous lesson Present new concept Do several examples on the board (practice) Set examples for students (practice) Assess students' understanding verbally or as demonstration on board Set homework (practice) “Math is about practice, practice, practice.”

Code clashes and matches Low integration overall of technology practices characterised as knower code Choice of technology that facilitates the knowledge-code practices of Mathematics Use of potentially knower-code technology for knowledge-code purposes => Is the integration of technology in Mathematics shaped by code relations? 14

15 Bipolar English Literature = knower code Composition = knowledge code Technology integration is greater in Literature than in Composition => different integration may relate to codes of particular practices within a subject area

16 ER- ER+ SR+ SR- elite code knower code knowledge code relativist code

17 Implications for the future integration of educational technology –low integration may result from code clash –relates to knowledge practices themselves –question: how to articulate codes integration in /of ed tech research –seeing a missing piece of the puzzle –quantitative and qualitative methods –integrating all kinds of objects of study –integrating research into wider field

Beliefs about integration in NSW The use of technology and knowledge practices… Mathematics ‘Through inquiry, application of problem-solving strategies including the selection and use of appropriate technology, communication, reasoning and reflection.’ (Objectives, p. 11) PRACTICE: ‘Technology is a useful tool for students to use when graphing and comparing graphs of relationships.’ (Patterns and Algebra, p. 77) English ‘The syllabus requires students to develop skills in composing and responding to texts created in and through different information and communication technologies and to understand the effects of the technology on meaning.’ (Literacy, p. 10) DEMONSTRATION: ‘A student selects, uses, describes and explains how different technologies affect and shape meaning.’ (Outcome 3 Stage 5, p. 34)