Methodology

Research

Questionnaire

To obtain information from primary resources, a survey asking teachers about comfort levels in their classrooms as well as the usage of computers in the cirriculum now and where they expected it in the future was created. We distributed it to all secondary schools in Scotland. The response rate was approximately 3%. Results can be found below.

Demographics

What do you teach?
Subject Taught
What type of school is it?
School Type
When was your school built?
School Construction

Comfort Levels

On average, how would you rate the thermal comfort of your classroom for a summer morning?
Thermal Comfort Summer Morning
On average, how would you rate the thermal comfort of your classroom for a summer afternoon?
Thermal Comfort Summer Afternoon
On average, how would you rate the thermal comfort of your classroom for a winter morning?
Thermal Comfort Winter Morning
On average, how would you rate the thermal comfort of your classroom for a winter afternoon?
Thermal Comfort Winter Afternoon
If temperature is an issue, please indicate how often you feel this affects the concentration levels of both you and your pupils?
Concentration Levels
How much control do you have over the temperature of your classroom?
Temperature Control

Current ICT Situation

What percentage of lessons per week do you use computers for teaching?
What percent of lessons per week do you use computer for teaching?
What percentage of lessons per week do your students use computers for learning?
What percentage of lesson

Future Expectations

Will IT have greater impact in the future?
Will IT have a greater impact in the future?
Do you see 'Research Based Learning' as an integral part of teaching in the future?
Research Learning
How do you see technology affecting the learning environment in the future?

Other Comments

We received various comments regarding classroom comfort and technology, some of which revealed factors such as budget constraints. Teachers also commented on not being able to control the temperature or operate the windows. A selection is listed below:

"[ICT] could have a major impact [in the future], but will obviously be subject to budget restraints"

"Technology has been forced upon us in all areas of the curriculum. i.e. Chalk boards were far more eco friendly than overhead projectors for quick basic tasks. Overheads, are now overly used and chalk boards/white boards have been removed. These are often left on all day, even when not in use. Similarly, computers/monitors are left on all day, and night, when not in use. I fully agree with the use of technology and use it every period. However, it is extremely inefficient in many ways. Good lighting and air circulation is extremely important to a good learning environment. We have neither."