Page 9 - FIS World

International Research Collaborative (IRC). The IRC “is a unique partnership between educational researchers, data scientists, and visionary leaders from international schools seeking to more closely examine and evaluate the role and impacts of educational technology on teaching and learning.”
Through the use of the IRC data we have been able to further re ne our technology usage to enhance teaching and learning while maintaining a strong commitment to ensuring a balanced approach.
Since 2013, on an annual basis, Dr. Bebell and the IRC have been surveying students and teachers from more than 20 international schools around the world. The survey is completed online and only takes about 20 minutes but provides a wealth of data that assists teaching and learning, and possibly parenting, too. Thanks to the IRC’s data, when our children come home and say “everyone is on Facebook,” or “I have hours and hours of homework,” we will
now be able to engage in the discussion knowing that we have the evidence to support our positions! (See the accompanying graphics for proof.)
Using technology is all well and good, but are students at FIS bene tting? The short answer appears to be yes. Fifty-nine percent of students feel that they write better using a computer than with paper and pencil; only 16% disagree. Eighty percent like to use their computer in school, while 3% do not. Seventy-two percent like it when teachers use technology, while 2% do not. And 65% feel they are more organized with a computer, compared to 10% who feel they are less organized.
In working with Dr. Bebell, FIS now has a far greater understanding of how teachers and students are using technology. “Through the use of the IRC data we have been able to further re ne our technology usage to enhance teaching and learning while maintaining a strong commitment to ensuring a balanced approach,” said Mr. Brewster. “We believe that technology creates new challenges and new opportunities that ultimately can further transform and improve student achieve and learning.” By understanding technology use in the school, FIS now have the data to do just that.
Tony Winch FIS Parent
FIS 2016 Tech Survey Results at a Glance
73% SKYPE
64% WHATSAPP
57% INSTAGRAM
56% GOOGLE+
55% YOUTUBE
53% SNAPCHAT
51% FACEBOOK
25% TWITTER
May 2017 FIS World 7
% of FIS students’ account membership