Preview of the iTEC pilot evaluation final results - News

iTEC has piloted Future Classroom Scenarios and Learning Activities with some 50,000 students in over 2,500 classrooms in 19 countries, but has there been an effective return on the investment made in the project?

Over the four years, the evaluators gathered the views of teachers and students (some 1,488 were surveyed), national coordinators and policy-makers through surveys, interviews, focus groups, case studies and observations. The results were collated under three headings in the final evaluation report. Here is a foretaste of them.

Impact on learners and learning

• Students developed their 21st century skills, notably independent learning, and felt that they would perform better in examinations.
• Students took on new roles in classes, becoming peer-assessors, peer-tutors, and co-designers of their learning, even teacher trainers.
• Participation in Learning Activities underpinned by the iTEC approach impacted positively on student motivation.

“80% of students surveyed in cycle 5 (n=1444) agreed that the knowledge
and skills they had gained through participating in iTEC would
help them to do better in their assessments.”

Impact on teachers and teaching

• The Scenario Development and Learning Activity Design process was clearly seen as innovative.
• Teachers’ digital competencies and pedagogy were enhanced.
• Teachers became more enthusiastic about their pedagogical practices.
• There was increased use of technology, integrated throughout the learning process rather than only for research or presentation.
• More collaboration took place between teachers within and beyond schools, facilitated through online communities.

Scalability

• As the iTEC approach matured over the five cycles, there was more evidence of widespread adoption.
• The scenario-led design process could support mainstreaming of innovation.
• The library of Scenarios, Learning Stories and Learning Activities were seen as a valuable output of iTEC to support system-wide innovation.
• In countries where iTEC aligns with national policies and strategies, the iTEC approach is likely to be adopted and to influence future practices.

The iTEC final evaluation report will be available online briefly.