Measuring student use of ICT: A Summary of findings of ICT use in Queensland Catholic schools

Abstract

The measurement of student learning outcomes as a result of the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in the curriculum has become the focus of recent investigations with a view to improving teaching and learning. For example, a 2005 AARE Conference symposium provided insights into a range of current approaches for measuring ICT use in Australian schools (Fitzallen & Brown, 2006; Lloyd, 2006; Trinidad, Newhouse & Clarkson, 2006; Finger, Jamieson-Proctor, & Watson, 2006). These approaches stem from requirements for the measurement of student outcomes as a result of ICT integration, in line with recent priorities that emphasise outcomes (Andrich, 2002) and accountability (Gordon, 2002). However, researching and measuring the impact of ICT integration in schools has been found to be problematic (Cuttance, 2001). In Queensland, an instrument for measuring student use of ICT in the curriculum was developed, trialled and evaluated (Jamieson-Proctor, Watson, Finger, Grimbeek, & Burnett, 2007). This instrument has shown to be useful in measuring ICT use by students in Queensland State schools (Jamieson-Proctor & Finger, 2006; Jamieson-Proctor, Burnett, Finger & Watson, 2006). This paper summarises the findings from the administration of the instrument in 130 Catholic schools in Queensland.