Methods

Sample

A total of 36 learners with a spectrum of learning disabilities participated in the project trial at an SEN school, and the Supported Learning Unit of a College of Further Education (FE), both in the West Midlands. Of this total, 16 students were observed using the completed LE prototype within the funded period of the Project, and a total of 42 in a discretely funded extension of the project trial.

In addition, interviews were conducted with 16 teachers and teaching assistants, heads and ICT managers from two locations. Eight members of the development team were also interviewed.

Methodology

Project @pple deployed a range of methods designed to establish an approach in which the people with learning disabilities were placed at the centre of the research, with strategies to address the challenges to this process presented by the communication impairments that resulted from their learning disabilities. Data gathering methods included video ethnography and participant observation, talking-mat and face-to-face interviews and usability experiments.

Video ethnography and participant observation

Video ethnography and participant observation were used to capture a profile of existing ICT and multimedia use by learners and supporters where present, and their subsequent use of the LE. This was then used to develop 'techno-biographical personas' of individual users. The video ethnography data >were also sampled for investigation of talk-in-interaction between learners and their supporters engaged in classroom-based ICT activities. The purpose was to evaluate the nature of support provided and its correspondence to activity engagement. The data were transcribed and evaluated using conversation analysis.

Talking Mat' interviews

'Talking Mat' interviews were undertaken with a purposive sample of the participants with learning disabilities. This involved the use of symbols, photos and drawings being placed on a mat to capture views expressed during interview. The interviews were video recorded and digital images were taken of completed mats. The data were transcribed and systematically evaluated for emergent themes. Where learners did not have the capacity to participate meaningfully in these adapted interviews an alternative method involved interviewing educational practitioners close to their life experience was used.

Semi-structured interviews

Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with lecturers, teachers, Learning Support Assistants, ICT support staff, and managers concerning; supporter/teacher needs, the general environment in which they work, barriers and benefits to ICT use and their experience of using the LE. Team members from Xtensis, Mencap and The Rix Centre were interviewed to evaluate their role in the production process.

Controlled experimental usability tests

Controlled experimental usability tests were undertaken using non-participant observation of elements of the system in use by learners participating in simple task-based interactions. A fieldwork experiment based around a multimedia learning game designed and built for the purpose was used with simple computer log analysis and non-participant observation to establish a baseline view of multimedia learning preferences.