No abstract

In large-scale international assessments such as the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), or the Progress in International Reading Study (PISA), research has struggled to find positive associations between the frequency of educational technology use in schools and student achievement. While computer use at home showed a tendency for positive correlations with test scores, computer use in schools did not. Following a different approach, the study reanalyzes PISA 2012 data by combining frequency of use and positive perceptions with regard to educational technology as predictors for student test scores. When controlling for influential sociodemographic factors, results indicate that positive attitudes toward educational technology are associated with higher test scores in the large majority of countries. As positive attitudes are likely to be a result of positive experiences, it seems reasonable to conclude that it might be quality instead of quantity of educational technology use that matters.

This paper is based on (a) a literature review focussing on the impact of learning analytics on supporting learning and teaching, (b) a Delphi study involving international expert discussion on current opportunities and challenges of learning analytics as well as (c) outlining a research agenda for closing identified research gaps. Issues and challenges facing educators linked to learning analytics and current research gaps were organised into four themes, the further development of which by the expert panel, led to six strategy and action areas. The four themes are 1. development of data literacy in all stakeholders, 2. updating of guiding principles and policies of educational data, 3. standards needed for ethical practices with data quality assurance, and 4. flexible user-centred design for a variety of users of analytics, starting with learners and ensuring that learners and learning is not harmed. The strategies and actions are outcomes of the expert panel discussion and are offered as provocations to organise and focus the researcher, policymaker and practitioner dialogs needed to make progress in the field.

In this article, we identify and examine opportunities for formative assessment provided by information technologies (IT) and the challenges which these opportunities present. We address some of these challenges by examining key aspects of assessment processes that can be facilitated by IT: datafication of learning; feedback and scaffolding; peer assessment and peer feedback. We then consider how these processes may be applied in relation to the assessment of horizontal, general complex 21st century skills (21st CS), which are still proving challenging to incorporate into curricula as well as to assess. 21st CS such as creativity, complex problem solving, communication, collaboration and self-regulated learning contain complex constructs incorporating motivational and affective components. Our analysis has enabled us to make recommendations for policy, practice and further research. While there is currently much interest in and some progress towards the development of learning/assessment analytics for assessing 21st CS, the complexity of assessing such skills, together with the need to include affective aspects means that using IT-enabled techniques will need to be combined with more traditional methods of teacher assessment as well as peer assessment for some time to come. Therefore learners, teachers and school leaders must learn how to manage the greater variety of sorts and sources of feedback including resolving tensions of inconsistent feedback from different sources.

Die Entwicklung digitaler Technologien führt in allen Lebensbereichen und damit auch im Bildungssektor zu großen Erwartungen und gleichzeitig zu großen Unsicherheiten. Der Beitrag versucht deshalb, einen Überblick über zentrale Aspekte zu geben und Klärungen anzustoßen. Digitaler Wandel umfasst nicht nur direkte medienspezifische Veränderungen, sondern auch indirekte und übergreifende Dynamiken. Die Anforderungen des digitalen Wandels in der Gesellschaft, im Schulwesen und in der Lehrerinnen- und Lehrerbildung sind dabei eng verknüpft. Auf der Basis dieser Überlegungen werden vier Entwicklungsfelder für die Lehrerinnen- und Lehrerbildung vorgeschlagen: 1) medienbezogene Vorerfahrungen, Überzeugungen und Einstellungen von Studierenden stärker einbeziehen; 2) medienspezifische Themen verbindlich in allen Bereichen der Lehre verankern; 3) innovative Medienpraktiken in der Lehre und in Praktika erlebbar machen und erproben; 4) die Frage der Wirksamkeit und der Verbesserung von Lernkultur und Unterrichtsqualität zu einem zentralen Referenzpunkt machen.