Putty in Their Hands: Case Studies on Claymation in Two Irish Classes.

O'Carroll, Mary (2006) Putty in Their Hands: Case Studies on Claymation in Two Irish Classes. Masters thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

This research set out to find out about an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) project called Claymation. Using the case study method; backed up by surveys, it looks at the reasons why two classes in two schools deployed Claymation and what impact that had. It found that a Claymation initiative instigated by the Digital Hub in Dublin's south inner city in 2004/2005 spread from a pilot project in two schools, comprising eight classes, to 10 schools and 17 classes in 2006. The dissertation investigated two of those classes, one that was participating for its 2nd time (13 primary school pupils) and the other (I7 transition year students) taking part for the first time in 2006. On May 8th both schools attended a film festival where their animations were showcased. Both teachers said they saw merit in Claymation as a constructive experience for their students. Both sets of students were happy with their short animations. One setback was both projects took longer to complete than was first anticipated, this was partly due to scheduled holidays and other school events that took priority. It had been anticipated that the projects would take two weeks when they started in late January but were only completed at the start of May. The survey of teachers (10 participated) reveals that the majority have access to computing at home but rarely use ICT facilities for school related work. The teachers don't see technology making any noticeable inroads into schools within the next five years and many still lack the basic hardware and software for ICT use in class. Thus their pupils use very little lCTs at school though many pupils have a range technology at home. The Claymation experience was the only ICT project the primary school pupils encountered during the school year though the school has a computer room and equipment. The secondary school students infrequently use computers at school and they also participated in an ICT project using digital camerawork during the year. The transition year students' survey reveals they mainly access computers at home and they are very confident about their ICT abilities. In comparison with a similar survey of 15-year-olds in OECD countries published in 2005 the transition year students performed at higher levels in 19 out of 23 skill areas but they use computers less frequently than participants in the OECD surveys. Interviews and surveys with principals, parents and teachers were planned to back up the case studies but did not take place. Ten teachers participated in the surveys but there were no opportunities to interview the teachers given their busy schedules and the extra workload of the Claymation projects.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Subjects:	N Fine Arts > N Visual arts (General) For photography, see TR L Education > LC Special aspects / Types of education > E-Learning L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB1603 Secondary Education. High schools L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB1501 Primary Education T Technology > T Technology (General) > Information Technology
Divisions:	School of Computing > Master of Science in Learning Technologies
Depositing User:	SINEAD CORCORAN
Date Deposited:	17 Sep 2010 13:01
Last Modified:	06 Jan 2015 14:59
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/331

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