1. Ultraversity (CB330999S) Main Exhibition SID : 0407976

2. Introduction I am presently undertaking my final year of my Ultraversity degree in ‘Learning Technology Research’ The research focus this year has been an ‘action enquiry’ into the introduction of our ‘e-portfolio’ system ‘MyHighcliffe’

3. Action Research ? What’s that? Kurt Lewin is credited with first applying the term ‘Action Research’ to the cyclical approach which evolves around an action, critical reflection upon that action and its outcomes, refining the action and further reflection. This method is interactive process based around developing an understanding and improving the working practice of an individual, group of people or an organisation on an ongoing basis.

4. What’s ‘action research’ look like then?

5. Why ‘MyHighcliffe’ The introduction of an e-portfolio system for the students of my school is firmly embedded into the schools development plan. The actual contents (information within) of the system had been discussed at senior management level and during the start of 2006 I had developed the system inline with the schools requirements.

6. Why ‘MyHighcliffe’ MyHighcliffe was taking up the vast majority of my working time – so to focus my research on it was beneficial to myself in terms of working time and also the school in discovering the thoughts of the students.

7. So what was the focus? An action enquiry into the attitudes of students towards the introduction of an ‘Online e-portfolio system’ for students within a secondary school.

8. Research Questions What do students think of the system? Do they enjoy using it and finding information out independently? How do they approach the information? Do they take it at face value or question its relevance/accuracy? Has it/Could it affect the working practices of our students? How can I improve the system taking into account the attitudes of the students towards the first release of the system? Are some aspects of the data more sensitive than others? If so how do students respond to the more sensitive data?

9. 1 st Cycle – the launch 3 rd April - 15 th April 2006

10. 1 st Cycle – data collection Usage statistics Observations Questionnaires Meeting with school council

11. 1 st Cycle – usage statistics Increasing usage by students 620 access’s to the system Some access outside school time

12. 1 st Cycle – usage statistics cont.

13. 1 st Cycle – observations ‘Was amazed today – walked in at lunchtime on almost a whole room of students accessing MyHighcliffe. It’s only the third day!’ ‘A number of suggestions were made – the first was ‘get the teachers to do their registers’ which points to some lesson attendance registers not being filled in.’ ‘A student came into my office today and said he really liked MyHighcliffe but wondered if timetables could be added. He also said that his mum really liked it and was using it at home.’ Recorded within my learning journal…..

14. 1 st Cycle – questionnaires All the responses gave 8 or more out of 10 for ease of use. All the responses said they enjoyed using the system. Over 90% said they would not mind their parents having access to the information stored on them. However comments were made regarding parents not having access to the students ‘personal statement’ area. Another interesting comment was made that all the information is ‘positive’ and that perhaps there should be information shown to parents if a student gets a detention or other sanction! Disappointing – only 45% received back completed – but……

15. 1 st Cycle – questionnaires cont. Students would like to have a timetable area added – 21 of the responses mentioned this! Other items mentioned for improvement were the addition of ‘head teachers award’ information and also library books on loan. 90% said they now feel more informed regarding their targets for improvement – with the main area they gain this information being from having access to their past reports and target setting data. 10 of the responses mentioned that sometimes the system went slowed down noticeably.

16. 1 st Cycle – School Council They all felt that Timetable would be of great benefit to the young students especially taking into account that the schools runs a two week timetable. One of the council members asked if we had any plans for a parental version of the system – the other council members greeted this idea positively and felt it would be a real ‘benefit’ to parents especially of students of younger age. It was mentioned that the council members had noticed how a number of teachers were not doing their registers during lesson periods and these were showing up in MyHighcliffe. The council felt it might be best to take of ‘lesson’ registration periods until ALL teachers are completing registers and only show the AM/PM sessions. Meeting recorded within my learning journal…..

17. 1 st Cycle – Conclusion System off to a good start – with continued and increasing usage by students. Students enjoy using it and fine it easy to find information. Questionnaires show student find reports area valuable in informing their learning and targets Students would like to see timetable added and also continue to question why not all registers are being completed. Some issues with system going slowly with multiple users. Students have identified the system may be beneficial to their parents/guardians!

18. 2 nd Cycle – timetables! 5 th – 9 th September 2006

19. Changes Made over Summer Timetables added. Registration data changed to only AM/PM periods. Logging optimised to speed up system.

20. 2 nd Cycle – data collection Usage statistics Observations Meeting with school council No questionnaires - After discussing this with my work place advocate we decided that it would be ‘another thing’ for staff to deal with (at start of term). Instead I felt I would gain a great deal of knowledge though talking with staff/students and observation.

21. 2 nd Cycle – usage statistics 567 unique students using the system over the week period. (the logging was improved to allow me to identify individuals, so I was able to find out ‘unique’ visits during the second cycle). The number of students accessing the system from outside of school also increased as students in years 10 and 11 requested course changes and wanted to see when these were completed on their timetables.

22. 2 nd Cycle – observations The student support office are now directing students to MyHighcliffe to gain copies of their timetables. Reducing workload within the office. With large numbers accessing the system no problems with speed were reported or noticed through my observations. Recorded within my learning journal…..

23. 2 nd Cycle – observations cont. Meeting with teachers after staff Briefing: 2 staff congratulating on such a good system. 3 staff concerned regarding students having access to their reports whilst teachers are writing them……… A small number of students had ‘questioned’ the teachers over their reports before publication.

24. 2 nd Cycle – School Council Welcomed the addition of timetable information. Council shocked by number of students using the system. Were pleased attendance information had been changed to only AM and PM attendance periods. When asked – informed me that no one had experienced a slow down of the system since returning after the summer holidays. Council had been thinking further regarding a ‘Parental’ version of MyHighcliffe…….

25. 2 nd Cycle – School Council School Council - Parental version. Council believe benefits to parents may include: Parents being able to see if a son/daughter has arrived at school safely as the AM registration period would be marked as present. They feel this would be of great benefit bearing in mind most our students come in via bus. As achievements/good work is awarded parents will see this via the achievements and merits section of the site. Parents would have access to past school reports without having to go into the loft. School council voted to ask the Headteacher to look into a ‘Parental’ version.

26. 2 nd Cycle – Conclusion Continued increase in use of the system. Timetable information very successful and has reduced workload for office staff. Some questions raised for debate across school regarding students having access to reports and academic information at the same time as teachers. Schools council keen to work to develop the system, including: parental version, more information and ‘portfolio’ of best work area.

27. Analysis of findings….. Students have accepted the system very quickly. Ideas from students point-out that a design of such a system needs input from the actual users – involving users reduces risk of failure. Issues such as the ‘slow down’ of the system highlight the need to pilot systems before major release. Students enjoy using the system and accept the vast majority of information at face value, BUT, do have the confidence to question teachers regarding such items as the report comments.

28. Analysis of findings… Students keen to continue to improve system School needs to ‘debate’ with staff the problems/issues that may arise due to students having some information. Risks/Problems/Issues need to be weighed up against possible benefits of students having information. Students do feel they are more informed of their learning targets.

29. Conclusion What do students think of the system? Do they enjoy using it and finding information out independently? Students enjoy using the system but will use such systems more if they provide the information they require (timetables an example). Layout and ‘ease of use’ improve overall usability. Students will use the system to find information out in their own time and independently (accessing system from outside of school time). Recommendations: Involve final users at the design stage. Involve final users with ongoing improvements & developments.

30. Conclusion How do they approach the information? Do they take it at face value or question its relevance/accuracy? Has it/Could it affect the working practices of our students? Vast majority of information is ‘factual’ such as attendance so therefore students do not question. Non-factual such as ‘Reports’ a small of students have already used their new knowledge to ‘question’ their teachers regarding their grades and comments. Teachers that have been ‘questioned’ have commented that they felt uneasy with students having access before parents. Recommendations: School should have a debate/conversation as to who the reports are focused towards (students or parents). Is students ‘questioning’ staff an issue or something the school should embrace.

31. Conclusion Are some aspects of the data more sensitive than others? If so how do students respond to the more sensitive data? Data such as ‘reports’ is more sensitive than factual information such as attendance. Over the course of this research the sensitivity has come mainly from the teaching staff – unsure as to the issues that may occur with students having access to some information. Students are confident enough to use the sensitive data and ‘question’ their teachers over their comments and how to improve their learning. Recommendations: School should have a debate/conversation as to who the reports are focused towards (students or parents). Is students ‘questioning’ staff an issue or something the school should embrace.

32. Conclusion How can I improve the system taking into account the attitudes of the students towards the first release of the system? Recommendations: Involve the students with future additions and development of the system. Keep the existing look and feel of the system as students find this easy to use. Continue to add new features into the system so it does not become static. Debate the use of ‘report and academic’ information across school – adapt the system depending upon outcome.

33. Next steps… Continue to work with schools council on future developments (users group). Discuss with senior management how a debate/discussion can be held with staff and students regarding academic information. Work on a proto-type ‘Parental Version’ to allow parents access to MyHighcliffe. Continue to assess the impact of MyHighcliffe.

34. Thank you… I would appreciate your feedback on the presentation, the exhibition and the research project. Please send all feedback to mdowns@highcliffe.dorset.sch.uk mdowns@highcliffe.dorset.sch.uk