The Educational Research Centre has been asked by the Department of Education and skills to carry out an evaluation of the Digital Learning Framework (DLF). The new framework, for primary and post-primary schools, was published in September 2017. The framework is a key part of the Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020. The evaluation uses a longitudinal design, and runs from 2018-2022. It was preceded by a field trial phase which ran from 2017-2018.
Project Team: Emmet Feerick, Eva Moran, Adrian O’Flaherty and George Piccio
DLF longitudinal evaluation (2018-2022)
The ERC’s evaluation of the implementation of the Digital Learning Framework involves collecting information from schools at baseline, and subsequently following the progress of representative samples of primary, post-primary and special schools with surveys of school staff and focus groups with school staff and students, over multiple waves from 2019-2021.
Baseline phase: During DLF seminars provided by the PDST (and NCSE in the case of special schools) (October 2018-April 2019), participants completed surveys designed by the ERC. In all, 1,534 primary schools, 327 post-primary schools and 64 special schools took part. Survey responses have been weighted to provide nationally representative population estimates.
Longitudinal phase
Nationally representative samples of primary (150), post-primary (100) and special (30) schools are followed longitudinally from 2019 to 2021 through surveys of school staff, and focus groups of staff and students in a small subset of these schools.
Wave 1 results were published June 2021:
Executive Summary for DLF Wave 1
An infographic on the key findings was published December 2021:
Final report of the longitudinal Digital Learning Framework Evaluation
In September 2024 the ERC published the final report of the longitudinal Digital Learning Framework Evaluation. It evaluates the implementation of the DLF from multiple perspectives over a three-year period. The report examines the current policy and research landscape on the use of digital technologies in schools and considers how schools have had successes and met challenges in their embedding and implementation of the DLF.
For more, read the report here.
Questionnaires
PDF copies of the longitudinal survey (Phase 1) (P1)
P1 Primary and Special schools – English: Digital Learning Team Leader (or Principal) Questionnaire and Teacher Questionnaire
P1 Primary and Special schools – Gaeilge: Digital Learning Team Leader (or Principal) Questionnaire and Teacher Questionnaire
P1 Post-primary – English: Digital Learning Team Leader (or Principal) Questionnaire and Teacher Questionnaire
P1 Post-primary – Gaeilge: Digital Learning Team Leader (or Principal) Questionnaire and Teacher Questionnaire
More information on the Digital Learning Framework is available from the Department’s website and the PDST website. There is also a website for schools, developed by the PDST, at DLplanning.ie.
Contact: Emmet Feerick, Eva Moran or Jude Cosgrove
DLF@erc.ie
DLF trial evaluation (2017-2018)
Prior to the longitudinal evaluation, a trial of the framework in 20 post-primary and 30 primary schools ran from October 2017-May 2018.
The Educational Research Centre was responsible for developing and hosting questionnaires for school principals, teachers and PDST staff; analysing the results; and drafting a report on the evaluation.
In addition, focus groups in six of the participating schools were carried out.
The evaluation report was submitted to the Department of Education and Skills in July 2018.
Information on the evaluation can be found in this presentation.
Contact:
DLF@erc.ie
Final report on DLF trial evaluation
The final report on the Digital Learning Framework trial evaluation was published on October 22, 2018. The report describes the progress, successes and challenges experienced by staff in the 48 primary and post-primary schools that took part. It follows on from the baseline report, published in May 2018. It identifies seven implications for the national implementation of the Digital Learning Framework, which is being led by the PDST technology in education team. Jude Cosgrove and Alice Duggan presented the key findings of this report to participating school staff at the Digital Learning Framework Trial Shared Learning Day in Croke Park on October 22.
Read the executive summary here
Read the full report here
Baseline report on DLF trial evaluation
The Baseline report on the DLF trial evaluation can be downloaded here.
The report presents a starting context for interpreting the overall findings and progress made by participating schools over the course of the trial. The overall findings will be published as a final report during the third quarter of 2018. Sincere thanks to school staff, teachers, and PDST advisors for their participation.
PDF copies of questionnaires for participating schools and PDST advisors
Note that all responses should be submitted using the online versions of the questionnaires. Links to the online questionnaires are sent via email to participants. The PDF versions below are for review purposes only.
Phase 2 (April-May 2018)
Post-primary principals/Digital Learning Team leaders
Primary principals/Digital Learning Team leaders
Phase 1 (November-December 2017)
Primary schools:
PDST first visit questionnaire for principals
Post-primary schools:
PDST first visit questionnaire for principals
PDST advisors:
PDST first visit questionnaire for PDST advisors
