Evaluation of Student Facing Web-Based Services: Studyit

Background:
The final service report on the Studyit website is part of a larger evaluation of web-based learning services for children and young people in New Zealand. The report is complemented by two similar reports relating to the AnyQuestions website and the WickEd website as well as a review of literature and an integrated summary of the suite of reports.

Description:
Studyit was established as one of the Digital Opportunities (DigiOps) projects in 2004 and is described on the DigiOps Website as “free online learning resource for all students studying maths and/or sciences to NCEA level”. The site also has a category for English advice and resources, and a fourth area where other subject advice is given. Studyit offers key resources with a high level of relevance to NCEA level students, as well as asynchronous forums where students are invited to interact with online maths, science and English teachers, and also other students, for assistance with their learning and NCEA related inquiries. The service is available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.

The following, taken from the DigiOps Website explains how Studyit works:

The Studyit website is not a homework service and does not provide students with answers to their exam questions! Instead it gives expert guidance and encourages students to engage their problemsolving skills so they reach the answer themselves. The website is targeted to help with almost any topic a student may be having problems with in the maths or science curriculum areas. Along with advice, the website has links to New Zealand and overseas NZQA-approved websites, which provide additional supporting information, illustrations, and examples.

Responses to queries are usually replied to within 24 hours and students are also free to offer advice. However, their comments and advice is only posted on the website once it has been checked as accurate and appropriate. As well as helping students with maths and sciences, the Studyit website has an open forum to discuss other related topics such as study techniques, sitting exams, dealing with stress and which information communication technology (ICT) works best for different purposes.

Key findings:
The key findings of the research are collated from the transcript analysis that formed a major part of this research, together with evidence from the interviews with students and teacher mentors to support or interpret the findings from the data. Each of the sections in the report focuses on a particular area of the analysis. It should be noted that, for an overall picture of the effectiveness of the programme it is important to take into consideration all of these elements and the picture they paint. This is done in the final section of the report where this analysis is used to inform comments on:

• The quality of service provision

• Immediate learning for young people

• Alignment and transfer of learning for young people

• Learning for providers, teachers and schools

Report link:
http://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/publications/ict/23917/27847/28447