Ubiquitous Technology Integration in Canadian Public Schools - Year One Study - Abstract and research findings

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by pop out

Ubiquitous technology use for learning is examined through the first year of a multi-year project providing laptop computers to Grade 3 to Grade 11 students across an English school board in Quebec. Data were collected from 403 elementary and 270 secondary students plus 330 control-board students, teacher questionnaires (60 elementary, 51 secondary), and interviews with 72 students and 20 teachers. Results show higher secondary reading and more frequent computer use in the experimental board, while math gains favor the control board, requiring cautious interpretation due to selection-bias validity threats.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages24

Reading Time1 h 0 min

AccessFree to download

Ubiquitous Technology Integration in Canadian Public Schools - Year One Study

Abstract

Technology integration and student achievement

Canadian Journal of Learning and Technology Volume 32( 1 ) Winter / hiver 2006 Ubiquitous technology integration in Canadian public schools: Year one study Jennifer Sclater Fiore Sicoly Philip C. Abrami C. Anne Wade Authors Jennifer Sclater, was an ICT Consultant at the Centre for the Study of Learning and Performance, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, and is currently Coordinator, Education (youth programs) with the World Anti Doping Agency, Montreal, Quebec . Fiore Sicoly, PhD, is a Professor at the Institute of University Partnerships & Advanced Studies, Georgian College, Barrie, Ontario and is a Collaborator with the Centre for the Study of Learning and Performance, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec . Philip C. Abrami, PhD is a Professor, Director and Research Chair at the Centre for the Study of Learning and Performance, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada . Correspondence concerning this article can be sent toabrami@education.concordia .ca Anne Wade, is Manager and Information Specialist at the Centre for the Study of Learning and Performance/ Education, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec . Abstract Abstract: The current investigation was an exploration of the first year of a multi year project designed to provide every Grade 3 to Grade 11 student throughout an English school board in Quebec with a laptop computer. Data were collected from 403 elementary and 270 secondary students from the experimental school board and also from 330 students in the control school board. In addition, questionnaire data were collected from 60 elementary school teachers and 51 secondary school teachers . Finally, interviews were conducted with 72 students and 20 teachers . Potentially the most interesting finding was the difference in achievement scores between the experimental and control boards . Secondary students from the experimental board had higher scores on the CAT 3 reading test and indicated making six times more frequent use of computer technology in their English classes, suggesting a possible treatment effect. In contrast, math scores were higher at the control board where neither board indicated high levels of computer use . Nevertheless, these findings must be interpreted with some caution until the threats to validity of selection bias are more clearly overcome . Ré sumé : L’investigation en cours était un examen de la première anné ed’un projet pl uriannuel qui visait à offri r un ordinateur portable à tous les élèves de la 3 e à la 11 e anné e d’une commission scolaire anglophone du Québec . Les donné es ont ét é recueillies auprè s de 403 élèves del’élémentaire et de 270 élèves du secondaire de la commission scolaire expé ri mentale ainsi qu’auprè s de 330 élèves de la commission scolairet é moin. En plus, on a recueilli des donné es tiré es de questionnaires remis à 60 enseignants de l’élémentaire et à 51 enseignants du secondaire . Enfin, des entrevues ont ét é mené es avec 72 élèves et 20 enseignants . La conclusion la p lus inté ressante s ’avè re peut être la différence entre les ré sultats de ré ussite entre les commissions scolaires expé ri mentale ett é moin. Les étudiants du secondaire de la commission scolaire expé ri mentale ont o btenu de meilleurs ré sultats pour les tests de lecture CAT 3 (formation en matière d’applications informatiques) et ils ont indiqué utiliser six fois pl us souvent la technologie informatique dans leur cours d’anglais, la issant croire que le traitement a peut être eu des ré percussions . Par a illeurs, les ré sultats en mathématiques étaient supé rieurs à la commission scolaire t é moi n alors qu’aucune commission n’a indiqué destaux d’utilisation élevé s de l’ordinateur. N é anmoins, ces conclusions doivent être interprét é es avec discernement jusqu’à ce qu’on gè re mieux les menaces à l’é gard de la validit é du bia is de s élection. Ubiquitous Technology Integration in Canadian Public Schools: Year One Study 1 Enthusi

FAQs

What was the study’s main purpose for Year One?

To explore the first year of a multi-year project providing laptop computers to Grade 3 to Grade 11 students in an English school board in Quebec.

What data sources were used in the investigation?

Achievement data came from 403 elementary and 270 secondary students in the experimental board, and 330 students in the control board. Teacher questionnaires involved 60 elementary and 51 secondary teachers, with interviews of 72 students and 20 teachers.

How did experimental and control boards differ in outcomes?

Secondary students in the experimental board scored higher on the CAT 3 reading test and reported six times more frequent computer use in English classes. Math scores were higher in the control board, and overall conclusions require caution due to possible selection-bias threats to validity.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by pop out