Learning how to Learn Technical Team ICT and the Management of BIG Educational Research Projects Patrick Carmichael and Richard Procter “Learning how to Learn” A project of the Teaching & Learning Research Programme

Learning how to Learn Technical Team Part 1 Some Background

Learning how to Learn Technical Team The TLRP a coordinated research initiative [whose] overarching purpose is to support and develop educational research leading to improvements in outcomes for learners of all ages, in all sectors and contexts of education, training and lifelong learning throughout the UK. 32 projects in 3 Phases Research Fellowships Research Capacity Building Network Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland Extensions

Learning how to Learn Technical Team The Role of ICT in TLRP Support for Programme Management Role in Communication and Impact Development of a Programme-wide strategy of: –Data Archiving –Data Description –Data Reuse Survey Data SPSS/SAS/Minitab Files Qualitative Data Codesets Diaries and Biographies Images Video Audio Instruments Bibliographies Codes of Practice/Protocols‘Outputs’

Learning how to Learn Technical Team Learning how to Learn Project Phase II of TLRP – Student, Teacher and Organisational Learning Focus on Formative Assessment Involves: –Four Universities –c.20 HE Staff –Five Local Education Authorities –Two Virtual Education Action Zones –43 Schools –Hundreds of teachers, thousands of children 5-18

Learning how to Learn Technical Team The L2L Website:multiple roles provision of information about the nature and scope of the project provision of materials for use by LEA and school coordinators data collection and monitoring data storage project management and data analysis tools provision of exemplification of “best practice” a ‘test-bed’ for tools and techniques for other projects …

Learning how to Learn Technical Team Part 2 Online Data Collection

Learning how to Learn Technical Team The Requirement As part of the research design, we wanted school and LEA coordinators to report and reflect on the ‘roll-out’ of the project in their schools. And wanted to maintain contact between: Coordinators ResearchersHE Critical Friends

Learning how to Learn Technical Team Our Solution: (b)logging We built a dedicated ‘log’ system Similarities to ‘blogs’, discussion boards and research diaries Coordinators, Researchers and CF’s able to add to a running record Per-school access Stored on secure server in XML (interchange format) Searchable across schools or events by researchers Why another project school?

Learning how to Learn Technical Team Two elements of the log Data Entry Read Log

Learning how to Learn Technical Team Part 3 Over to You

Learning how to Learn Technical Team Two sets of questions As a Respondent: What are your responses to the idea (and the reality!) of an online logging system? What questions might you have about the system? How might it compare to other approaches such as a reflective diary or field notes? As a Researcher/Research Manager: What are your responses to the idea? Affordances? Barriers? Concerns? Again, how might it compare to other approaches?

Learning how to Learn Technical Team Part 4 Some Findings and Questions

Learning how to Learn Technical Team Some Initial Findings Response to the system generally positive Welcomed by researchers and research managers Some school coordinators restricted comments to statements about management of the project Minority (including experienced teacher-researchers) used logs in ‘reflective’ mode Minority established responsive dialogue with CF Need for reminders to ‘log it!’ Few concerns about privacy/security

Learning how to Learn Technical Team Some Emerging Questions How do data collected through the logs relate to other data from interviews and observation in schools? Can log data be used as a focus for interviews and further enquiry? What does ‘nothing’ mean in the context of a novel data collection technique?

Learning how to Learn Technical Team The End This presentation available on the Learning how to Learn website at: You may also be interested in our paper: Carmichael, P., Procter, R. and Honour, L. (2003) Network Tools across a Distributed Research Project: Reflections on the first two years of 'Learning how to Learn’ Paper presented at BERA Conference, Edinburgh, September 2003 You can also see some demonstrations of our other tools and prototypes.