What did eLEMÉR find? ICT in education in Hungary

Researchers and experts at the Hungarian Institute for Educational Research and Development, based on previous research, have developed a complex on-line evaluation system that measures the use of ICT tools for school development. The system is called eLEMÉR and it helps the schools to review the ways ICT is present in learning, teaching, school management and infrastructure. Furthermore, the tool can be used for monitoring ICT application for school development. eLEMÉR is planned to serve as a basis for a national quality award system, which could motivate information based school development. Please display our printable brochure in your teachers? office.

eLEMÉR aims at motivating the use of ICT

• by offering help to schools to self-review their own strengths;
• to support informed decision making;
• to raise awareness and support cooperation;
• to show the areas that need development;
• to support the development of the schools? ICT strategy.

 eLEMÉR in practice

 Schools can register for the self-review on the project website under the Self-evaluation system link by using their Ministry ID number. Under the eLEMÉR trial version link the system can be tested without registering the school, and the results can be printed out. (The trial version overwrites the previous user?s data.)

 During the review process 91 positive, orienting statements are listed in 14 topics, regarding the four broad areas of study (teaching, learning, management and infrastructure). The schools have to consider to what extent the goals described in the statements are achieved. These are the options that can be chosen:

(0)    No data, that is the statement is not applicable in the school

(1)    Not solved, that is the goal has not been introduced in the school

(2)    Not entirely solved, but there are certain signs and initiations

(3)    Nearly solved but there are some more steps need to be taken

(4)    Completely solved

The self-review process is supported by explanations for each group of statements, as well as descriptions of each level for the particular group. Listing the evidences on which the answers are based allows more precise evaluation, and will serve as the basis of the qualification system in the future. By filling in the ?Questions to the editors? field, the schools can receive fast replies to any questions or comments.

It is not recommended that the review procedure is carried out by one teacher, especially not the IT teacher, the system administrator or the IT coordinator. The steps of the self-evaluation are described in the User?s Guide, and it is important that all participants read it before they start the evaluation process. When the evaluation is finished, the school can compare its results with the mean results of other schools, as well as with their earlier results. 

Besides the school self-review, eLEMÉR can also be used for monitoring the use of ICT and digital pedagogical methods for school.

The monitoring process

• gives feedback about the effects of the interventions to the educational politicians and the society;
• provides information to the decision makers for planning and intervention;
• provides data for international comparative research;
• informs and orients schools.

The first national survey of the monitoring system ended on eLEMÉR day, 2011. 28th February. There is a detailed description of the results in the Report about the use of ICT in the participating schools. 

We are looking forward to greeting you among our registered partners, or among the schools which have been re-evaluating themselves. In case of a foreign visitor, please feel free to wonder around and please let us know your opinion.

eLEMÉR and his colleagues

Prospectus
Student questionnaire
Teacher questionnaire
User’s manual