Impact of e-learning Independent research results, 2005

For the fourth consecutive year, Fischer Family Trust Trust has carried out independent research into the relationship between e-learning and its contribution to pupils’ performances. This year for the first time, findings for research on GCSE, Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 2 pupils have been published in one report.

** NEWS RELEASE ** NEWS RELEASE **

REVISING USING e-learning WILL IMPROVE PUPILS EXAM GRADES FINDS NEW INDEPENDENT REPORT

This year’s GCSE report includes 165,909 students – the largest dataset to date. The Key Stage 3 report, for its second year, covers 137, 215 students. And for the first time, a large scale analysis of primary pupil level data has been carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of e-learning on pupils sitting their KS2 SATs. This report is based on the results of 17,196 pupils from over 600 primary schools.

Together, the three independent research reports from The Fischer Family Trust (an independent charity) commissioned by SAM Learning, demonstrate the positive proven relationship between the use of e-learning and consistent improvements in pupils’ performance.

Main findings of the report include:

Impact of e-learning at KS2 (This report has been covered in the press), HEADTEACHER UPDATE ‘Research shows SATs elearning uplift’

     Pupils with over 10 task hours use of e-learning achieved 2.6 per cent more L4+ grades than expected.

Impact of e-learning at KS3

  Pupils with over 10 task hours use of e-learning achieved 3.6 per cent more L5+ grades than expected based on prior attainment.

Impact of e-learning at GCSE

Students with over 10 task hours use of e-learning achieved 4.6 per cent more 5+ A* - C GCSE grades than expected based on prior attainment. The value added gain was 2.0 capped points per pupil, which is the equivalent of one quarter of a GCSE grade per subject.

SAM Learning Ltd.

SAM Learning, ‘Leaders in e-learning’, is an online exam practice and revision service. Independent evidence shows that 10+ task hours use of SAM Learning improves GCSE by 4.6%, KS3 pupils who achieve L5+ by 3.6% and KS2 pupils who achieve L4+ by 2.6%. The service encourages independent eLearning by students, with nearly 60% of all use outside school hours. SAM Learning is cross-curricular covering more than 15 subjects at KS2, KS3 and GCSE.

SAM Learning is now the undisputed market leader, working with over 60% of all English state secondary schools and over 1,000 primary schools. It is expected that 800,000 students will use SAM Learning in 2006.

Fischer Family Trust

Fischer Family Trust is an independent charity that has developed a range of analyses as part of a project to promote the effective analysis and use of performance data. Value-added models have been developed using national datasets, following agreement with DfES.