Website Design & Development for Learning The ICT in Schools Initiative of the Department of Education and Science 1 Impact of Creating a Website on Pupils’ Learning Action Research Case Study – Mary O’Shea

Website Design & Development for Learning The ICT in Schools Initiative of the Department of Education and Science 2 Overview Co-educational School 27 pupils 11 – 12 years of age 8 month period Action Research Framework

Website Design & Development for Learning The ICT in Schools Initiative of the Department of Education and Science 3 Approaches Recommended –Process approach Practice –Drill & practice –Rote Learning –Product rather than process –Recreational games –Discretionary addition

Website Design & Development for Learning The ICT in Schools Initiative of the Department of Education and Science 4 The Internet Global accessibility Roles –Tutor –Publishing house –Forum –Navigator Publishing & Forum Disolves artifical wall –class/real world Easy acess to information –Realism –Authenticity

Website Design & Development for Learning The ICT in Schools Initiative of the Department of Education and Science 5 How? Deploy new technologies in education environment Integrate into curriculum Investigate and document best practices

Website Design & Development for Learning The ICT in Schools Initiative of the Department of Education and Science 6 The Project Web site creation WWW publishing house & forum To evaluate Facilitate student-centered learning? Allow for Constructivist approach to Learning Opportunity for Collaboration, Open Discussion, Styles of questioning Enhance literacy skills Real audience Topic student driven Enhances students’ research skills

Website Design & Development for Learning The ICT in Schools Initiative of the Department of Education and Science 7 The Project To ascertain – pupils problem-solving techniques critical thinking skills communication tools and techniques information skills and strategies tools and techniques for working with others designing skills and techniques publishing skills and techniques

Website Design & Development for Learning The ICT in Schools Initiative of the Department of Education and Science 8 Action Research 1.PLANNING 2.ACTING 4.REFLECTING 5.CHANGE 3.OBSERVING

Website Design & Development for Learning The ICT in Schools Initiative of the Department of Education and Science 9 Resulting Themes Constructivism Peer Collaboration Peer Tutoring Literacy Skills Self- Esteem and Motivation Negative Factors

Website Design & Development for Learning The ICT in Schools Initiative of the Department of Education and Science 10 Consequences Learning Environment Pupil development Proactive teachers Use of technology –Supportive –Enabling –Liberating

Website Design & Development for Learning The ICT in Schools Initiative of the Department of Education and Science 11 Findings the sharing of ideas that took place in a group settings; the development of social as well as cognitive skills persistence and hard work. teamwork and precision when presenting information on the WWW. the need to maintain the relevance of the topic and the clarity of the layout technical research design, and critical thinking skills. independent in their learning

Website Design & Development for Learning The ICT in Schools Initiative of the Department of Education and Science 12 Recommendations Role of technology Teachers Educational goals v Technological goals Laptops Keyboard skills development through content Internet skills development through content Pupil responsibility Working in groups Planning Assessment