Excerpt: The role and importance of digital technologies for supporting learning in educational settings has been clearly identified such that “learning facilitated and supported by digital technologies, is seen as an essential part of formal education” (Harju et al., 2019, p. 388). The use of digital technology in school affords learners with a range of learning opportunities and can support their development (Mädamürk et al., 2021). Digital technology also can “diversify and enrich teaching in schools” (Harju et al., 2019, p. 389). However, it is important to acknowledge that while digital technology can support learning, it can also provide opportunities to avoid learning activities with the impact of digital technology yielding small but heterogenous results for academic functioning (Hietajärvi er al., 2022).
Year Published: 2023
Date Published: 29/09/2023
Author/s: Prof. Lucy Betts, Adam Potter, Prof. Thom Baguley, Dr. Sarah Buglass, Dr. Gayle Dillon, & Dr. Lucy Justice
Research Link: https://digitalpovertyalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Tech4Schools-Report-1.pdf
Key Takeaways: The Tech4Schools scheme aimed to tackle digital poverty and digital access within schools in England. Twenty-three schools in disadvantaged communities were identified to receive funding for devices and peripherals for student use both in school and at home.
The evaluation adopted a convergent parallel mixed methods design which involved: (1) online surveys with learners, (2) online surveys with parents, and (3) online focus groups and online surveys with teachers.
The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was used to understand the factors influencing children’s intent to use the devices provided. Indicators within the TAM include intention to use, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived satisfaction.
Key findings across all data sources
- Teachers and parents recognised that that there were several benefits of the Tech4School intervention.
- High device usage in school increased learners’ digital self-efficacy. Engagement with the scheme also boosted learners’ participation in school activities. The learner survey found that engagement with the scheme increased their reports of taking part (as an indicator of school engagement) with time.
- The scheme addressed issues related to device sharing among family members, which was a barrier to engaging in school activities, especially during the pandemic and for those facing digital poverty.
- Teachers noted the scheme’s potential to alleviate financial pressures on parents, though this aspect was not specifically highlighted by parents.
- Teachers advocated for expanding the Tech4School scheme, while a parent raised questions about its eligibility criteria.