The UAB uses ICT as a remedy against school failure

100 teachers and 3.000 ESO students have participated in the study 'New techniques against school failure', directed by the professor of the Department of Applied Pedagogy of the Autonomous University of Barcelona, Pere Marquis, during the course 2010-2011. The study, carried out by the DIM-UAB research group, has used Information and Communication Technologies, especially the digital whiteboard and the Internet, to improve learning and reduce school failure.

The research 'New techniques against school failure’ DIM-UAB/Casio, directed by Dr. Pere Marquis (professor of the Department of Applied Pedagogy of the UAB), has been developed during the course 2010-2011 from a collaboration agreement between the company Cassius and the research group "Didactics and Multimedia" (DIM-UAB) of the UAB.

Some have participated 100 teachers and 3.000 students of 15 ESO and primary schools throughout Spain, where various teaching and learning activities aimed at reducing school failure have been applied. Many of them consider the use of ICTs (Information and Communication Technologies), especially the digital whiteboard (video projector, computer, Pdi) and Internet, and consist of non-rote activities, of creation and application of knowledge, aimed at developing competencies and providing more autonomy to students, that in many cases they can consult various sources of information (Notes, books, Internet) to carry out their work and exams.

The study shows that most teachers have successfully implemented these proposed "documentary-supported" practical activities., although when taking the exams (even consisting of performing practical tasks) Generally, they only allowed students to consult their notes..

Other techniques that have also been used a lot and with good results to evaluate students have been the public presentations of group or individual work, "giving clues" to students about what can come out on the exam and conducting previous "training" exams.

Digital whiteboard and Internet
On the other hand, There are some principles of action that teachers highlight as important to have a greater impact on these students with learning problems: Propose more practical tasks than theoretical questions; Also evaluate the processes (of work, of study...), not only the final product they are able to make; early detection of students who need special support; Contact with families; peer support; work diverse study techniques... Other activities also widely used have been the search for resources by students on the Internet, to present and then comment to their classmates on the digital whiteboard and the correction of exercises between students, following the teacher's instructions.

Regarding the impact of these techniques on student learning, one 94% of teachers appreciate that by applying these techniques students learn more and a 72% It also considers that academic qualifications improve, I mean, that school failure is reduced. The best results are obtained especially with working students but who find it difficult to follow the subject. In the group of students who, despite working, fail, because they can not with the subject, A positive impact is also observed with the application of these techniques, although to a lesser extent. And the same goes for students who do well or very well in the subject. instead, in the group of students who are unmotivated by the subject and who do not work, The impact is much less.

Although for a 67% of teachers The preparation of activities according to the techniques prescribed in this research has led to an increase in work, Most consider that it has been worth it, Given the improvements in student learning.

The results of this study are virtually identical to those obtained globally by the 51 Centres and 234 teachers who during 2010-2011 have experimented with these techniques within the framework of various investigations of the DIM-UAB group. From these positive results, A new study has been initiated 2011-2013, sponsored by the Telefónica Foundation through an agreement with the UAB, which covers a greater number of centres and will be developed over two courses. This is the research 'Bimodal curriculum and against school failure', with which it is intended to measure more accurately the impact of these techniques on students and their effectiveness in recovering students with learning disabilities.

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