Passey, Don (2011) Independent evaluation of the uses of Espresso online digital resources in primary schools : Final Report – Summary. Working Paper. Lancaster University, Lancaster.
Abstract
In 2010, Espresso commissioned an academically-based and fully independent evaluation study to explore outcomes of uses of its online resources in primary schools. The aims of the study were to explore how Espresso resources are used to support teaching and learning, to assess cost and associated benefits arising, and to explore whether levels or types of use in schools might be associated with measures of pupil achievement and school performance. The evaluation that was undertaken drew on a range of different forms of evidence, analysed in ways to match the needs of the specific aims being explored. In order to make the full report of the study and its findings more easily accessible, and to enable the reader to focus on selected aspects of specific interest, the entire report has been divided into four sections. Section 1 Summary – this section contains two main elements, Report Headlines and an Executive Summary. Section 2 School Uses and Learning Impacts – this includes an introduction and background to the study, details of the structure of the study relating to school uses and learning impacts, descriptions of schools providing evidence, details of how Espresso resources are used in schools and learning outcomes related to these, the pedagogies that teachers adopt when using the resources, and key aspects of learning that are impacted by uses of Espresso resources. Section 3 Management, Time and Cost Benefits – this includes an introduction and background to the study, details of the structure of the study relating to management, time and cost benefits, details of benefits arising, and how these are calculated at school and wider levels. Section 4 Attainment and Usage Levels – this includes an introduction and background to the study, details of the structure of the study relating to attainment, performance and usage levels, the forms of data that were gathered and used for this element of the study, and the forms of analysis that were undertaken, together with a range of detailed statistical findings.