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Understanding FE learnersGfK NOP Social Research

Kate Parker and Chris Holmes

“The process of becoming more e-enabled will help colleges improve learner satisfaction, as learners who are more ICT competent

gain confidence and are positive about the impact of technology on their

learning”

Technology for a change: evidence and practice, Becta 2007

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Key themes for discussion

• What factors influence learner ICT competence and confidence?

• Are ICT competent and confident learners more positive about the impact of technology on their learning?

• Is there a relationship between learner and college e-maturity?

What did we do?

• Sample from the ILR held by the LSC• Telephone survey of 4,000 FE learners• Questionnaire designed in consultation with

Becta• Fieldwork conducted in April - May 2007

Base: All respondents (4,000)

Mode of studyMode of studyWomen V. MenWomen V. Men

What types of learner did we interview?

5%

55%

40%

Full-timePart-timeNot known41% 59%

Age of learnerAge of learner

31%

16%

14%

19%

20%

16-18 years

19-24 years

25-34 years

35-44 years

45+ years

What factors influence learner ICT competence and confidence?

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LEARNER CONFIDENCELEARNER CONFIDENCE

Confidence in using computers:

Very confidentQuite confident

OK for basic tasksNot confident at all

Confidence in using computers:

Very confidentQuite confident

OK for basic tasksNot confident at all

LEARNER EXPERTISELEARNER EXPERTISE

On a range of ICT tasks:

Expert Intermediate

Beginner

On a range of ICT tasks:

Expert Intermediate

Beginner

Learner e-maturity: a new concept to measure learner ICT competence and confidence

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How is “learner e-maturity” defined?

SCORES ALLOCATEDSCORES ALLOCATED

Depending on ICT expertise and Computer confidence

Depending on ICT expertise and Computer confidence

Two-thirds of learners in the FE survey were classified as ‘high’ or ‘medium’ e-mature…

High30%

Medium36%

Low34%

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What factors influence learner e-maturity?

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Age of learner

Gender

Mode of study

Subject studied

Home ICTaccess & usage

Use of ICT at college

Drivers of learner e-maturity

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Younger learners are more likely to be e-mature…

Base: All respondents (4,000)

60%

47%

32%

22%

16%

24%

33%

38%

40%

44%

16%

20%

30%

38%

40%

Low Medium High

16-18 years

19-24 years

35-44 years

45+ years

25-34 years

Age of learner

Learners with a home computer and internet access are more likely to be e-mature

11Base: All respondents

(4,000)Base: All respondents with home computer

(3,451)

Access to home computer

Internet access at home among learners with

home access to a computer

Surf the NetHigh: 94%Low: 77%

Communicate with others

High: 91%Low: 64%

Online shoppingHigh: 59%Low: 37% Create things

High: 60%Low: 33%

Learners using their home computers for a wide range of leisure tasks tend to be more e-mature

Download music/video/podcasts

High: 61%Low: 29%

Base: All respondents with home computer (3,451)

Full-timeFull-time

E-mature learners tend to be on full-time courses and studying subjects that attract younger learners

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SubjectsSubjects

High e-mature learners • Humanities• Science and Mathematics• Visual & Performing Arts and Media

High e-mature learners • Humanities• Science and Mathematics• Visual & Performing Arts and Media

Low e-mature learners • Information & Communication

Technology• Hairdressing & Beauty Therapy• Construction

Low e-mature learners • Information & Communication

Technology• Hairdressing & Beauty Therapy• Construction

Part-timePart-time

31% 25%43%

Low Medium High

43% 37%19%

Low Medium High

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And learners who are using computers frequently at college for a range of activities are more e-mature

Base: All respondents (4,000)

How often learners used ICT at college to… % saying ‘a lot’

Low High

Research topics 24% 54%

Present written work or data 31% 54%

Create and deliver presentations 14% 33%

Revise and follow up on taught sessions

16% 32%

Organise and manage workload 16% 27%

Submit assignments 12% 26%

Create graphics, music, photos or video

7% 23%

17%

31%34%

Low Medium High

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And the use of new technologies such as Virtual Learning Environments increases with

learner e-maturity

Base: All respondents (4,000)Logo sources: moodle.org blackboard.com

Followed by use of ICT at college Followed by use of ICT at college

Subject studied:Maths/ Science

Present written work or data

Present written work or data

Research topics

35 – 44 yearsCreate things e.g.

music/ photos

45 + yearsOnline shopping

25 – 34 yearsCommunicate with

others (email/instant)

Under 25s Communicate with

others (email/ instant)

Main predictorsMain predictors

Age came out as the biggest predictor, followed by home leisure usageAge came out as the biggest predictor, followed by home leisure usage

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Which of these factors have the greatest influence on learner e-maturity?

Segmentation techniqueSegmentation technique

A segmentation technique (Chi-squared Automatic Interactive Detection or CHAID) identified the main predictors of learner e-maturity

A segmentation technique (Chi-squared Automatic Interactive Detection or CHAID) identified the main predictors of learner e-maturity

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Are more e-mature learners more positive about the impact of technology on their

learning?

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High e-mature learners were more likely to enjoy using technology than

low e-mature learners

57%

43%

30%

High e-mature

Medium e-mature

Low e-mature

% of who learners who agreed with “I enjoy using technology – I’d like to use more of it”

Base: All respondents (4,000)

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High e-mature learners were more likely to recognise the positive impact ICT had on

their learning….

High: 68% vs Low: 79%High: 68% vs Low: 79%

“I learn better through face-to-face contact with tutors and other learners

than by using a computer”

“I learn better through face-to-face contact with tutors and other learners

than by using a computer”

“I understand the subject that I’m studying better because of the way

that computers are used on my course”

“I understand the subject that I’m studying better because of the way

that computers are used on my course”

High: 62% vs Low: 53% High: 62% vs Low: 53%

…FE colleges therefore face a challenge to balance the preferences and abilities of learners at different ends of the e-maturity spectrum…FE colleges therefore face a challenge to balance the preferences

and abilities of learners at different ends of the e-maturity spectrum

but

Base: All respondents (4,000)

What is the relationship between learner and college e-maturity?

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College e-maturity is based on levels of ICT provision and use within FE colleges

E-enabledEnthusiasticAmbivalent

Late adopter

E-enabledEnthusiasticAmbivalent

Late adopter

A categorisation of colleges based on Becta’s annual survey of ICT and e-learning in FE colleges which is based on:

Access Workforce E-learning Resources Management

A categorisation of colleges based on Becta’s annual survey of ICT and e-learning in FE colleges which is based on:

Access Workforce E-learning Resources Management

College e-maturityCollege e-maturity

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Analysis suggests that there is a correlation between college and learner e-maturity

Base: All respondents attending colleges able to be classified (2,636)

25%

27%

33%

33%“E-enabled”

colleges

“Enthusiastic” colleges

“Ambivalent” colleges

“Late adopters” colleges

% of high e-mature learners

“The process of becoming more e-enabled will help colleges improve learner satisfaction, as learners who are more ICT competent

gain confidence and are positive about the impact of technology on their

learning”

Technology for a change: evidence and practice, Becta 2007

Contact information

Kate ParkerGfK NOP Social Research

kate.parker@gfk.com020 7890 9183

www.gfknop.com

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Chris HolmesGfK NOP Social Research

chris.holmes@gfk.com020 7890 9028