Student readiness for EduTOOLS use: An investigation of their IT-related skills and behaviours

Abstract

EduTOOLS, a R&D project of the Centre for Learning Technologies which is jointly set up by the Ministry of Education, Kent Ridge Digital Labs and Infocomm Development Authority, involves an innovative use of computer technology. With EduTOOLS, students can make use of a suite of on-line tools for project work. Also available to students are a collection of recommended project resources and a list of experts. This project will be piloted in three Singapore schools - two secondary schools and one junior college. For an implementation of a high technology project such as EduTOOLS, one main concern is student readiness in terms of IT skills. This paper reports on the findings of an investigation of students' experience with computers, namely their use of computers in and outside of school, the types of computer applications used and of activities engaged with a computer, and their frequency of computer use. Self-reports of students' working behaviours on the computer as well as their affective characteristics were also captured. The implications of the findings for EduTOOLS implementation will be discussed.