Research for transforming societies.
Schools and Homes Networking Digitally
Research Overview
Technological and social change are impacting education in ways that could not have been imagined a decade ago. Increasingly, children are experiencing an education in which digital tools and modes of learning are integrated and continually being transformed. From 2020, learning experiences have also been complicated by the coronavirus pandemic leading to a pattern of disruptions and lockdowns impacting differently, depending on location and the family’s circumstances.
In this climate, it is vital to understand the nature of school-home-world connectivity. What digital tools and platforms are schools and families using? How do students, parents/carers, educators, school leaders, and other support workers experience digitally mediated interaction? Importantly, how do families’ differential access to devices, applications, and digital competence impact on children’s education in these connected times?
Schools and Homes Networking Digitally is a three-year project, commencing 2021, and funded by the Australian Research Council (DP210101226). It brings together a team of experienced investigators from the University of South Australia, Queensland University of Technology, and Griffith University, led by Associate Professor Sue Nichols.
The project is the first comprehensive Australian study of school-home digital connectivity and the first internationally to take an ecological systems perspective to investigate this complex phenomenon. The project’s three major components are described below.
In this climate, it is vital to understand the nature of school-home-world connectivity. What digital tools and platforms are schools and families using? How do students, parents/carers, educators, school leaders, and other support workers experience digitally mediated interaction? Importantly, how do families’ differential access to devices, applications, and digital competence impact on children’s education in these connected times?
Schools and Homes Networking Digitally is a three-year project, commencing 2021, and funded by the Australian Research Council (DP210101226). It brings together a team of experienced investigators from the University of South Australia, Queensland University of Technology, and Griffith University, led by Associate Professor Sue Nichols.
The project is the first comprehensive Australian study of school-home digital connectivity and the first internationally to take an ecological systems perspective to investigate this complex phenomenon. The project’s three major components are described below.
Project Components
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To understand how schools and homes network digitally, a national survey of school leaders has been designed and will be implemented in 2021.
The development of the national survey incorporated perspectives of school leaders through a robust consultancy phase. It seeks to understand the school leaders’ perspectives on various facets of the phenomenon of home-school digital connectivity. The findings from this survey are likely to clarify the effectiveness of digital tools and platforms for supporting school-home connections, examine the challenges school leaders face, and outline to make these systems work in the interests of learners. |
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It is important to learn how children use technologies and applications to interact with significant others such as parents, teachers, and peers.
A novel inquiry card game kit has been created for use in interactive interviews with children in primary schools. This activity will generate insights into how children experience digitally mediated interactions. For instance, do children use different apps to communicate with peers compared to parents? What kinds of co-experiencing is made possible through digital mediation? It is anticipated that this investigation will yield important practical data about children’s digitally mediated interactions which can inform educational design and practice, particularly in circumstances of home-based learning when children are physically separated from their social network. |
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To understand parents’ involvement in children’s education, a networked case study approach has been designed.
The networked case studies will explore parents’ involvement from the vantage point of various actors and examine the factors that facilitate or hamper parents’ involvement. The case studies will also examine how families’ socioeconomic profiles and personal histories impact on parents’ engagement with children’s education and schooling. |
Acknowledgements
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This research is fully funded by the Australian Government through the Australian Research Council (Project ID 210101226).
The research team extends their gratitude to the Australian Research Council for their support of research and innovation. |
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