Research and Publications

Research  

Alberta Education conducts research into emerging technologies and best practices in classroom technology use.  Its research findings are shared within the department and with school jurisdictions, allowing for better decisions to be made on technology implementation and teaching practices. 

Current research projects that Alberta Education is involved in include:

• Supporting Innovative Classrooms:  Alberta Education is working with 29 school jurisdictiions to research innovative practices in the areas of technology management and leadership development for the effective use of technology.

Recent research projects that Alberta Education was involved in include:

• Emerge One-to-One Laptop Learning: Alberta Education worked with 20 school jurisdictions to investigate best practices in student use of wireless technologies in the classroom environment. 
• Technology and High School Success: Alberta Education worked with 24 school jurisdictions to explore the use of technology to improve student engagement and success in high school.

Publications

Alberta Education publishes a wide range of technology-related publications for jurisdiction technologists, school administrators, educators and parents.

tech.news
This is a monthly e-mail newsletter for education stakeholders produced by Alberta Education's School Technology Sector (STS).  It is available for anyone interested in the use of technology in schools.   To view the current edition, click here.

iPads: What are we learning?  (March 2012) )
In Fall 2011, Alberta Education hosted the one-day iPads – What are we learning? event for school authorities exploring the use of iPads in schools. This report summarizes the findings of the day and how Alberta schools are using iPads for learning.

Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) Best Practices Guide (2011)
This guide is for IT directors and network personnel who are responsible for deploying and managing wireless related infrastructure and supporting laptops and mobile devices in the classroom.  It is focused on WLANs and associated wireless technology. All levels of IT staff at both the district and local school level can benefit from information included in this guide. The guide has been updated to reflect technological updates in wireless networks.

Evaluation of the Canadian Space Agency Tele-Learning Program (2011)
The executive summary highlights the findings of the evaluation on the Canadain Space Agency's Tele-Learning Program.

Emerge One-to-One Laptop Learning Final Report (2010)
The final report, following the third year of implementation, contains finding and recommendations by the researchers.

Emerge One-to-One Laptop Learning Year Two Research Report (2010)
The Year Two report highlights the findings from the researchers working with the Emerge  project and their recommendations.

Emerge One-to-One Laptop Learning Year One Research Report (2009)
The Year One report highlights the findings from the researchers working with the Emerge  project and their recommendations.

Technology and High School Success (THSS) Year One Report (2010)
This document details the research results following the first year of implementation of this initiative. The goal of the project is to examine the use of technology to improve student engagement and success in high school.

Learning and Technology in Alberta (1975 - 2009)
This document, prepared by Alberta Education's School Technology Branch, outlines the evolution of the use of technology in teaching and learning in Alberta.  

Wireless Networks and Safety (October 2010)
This information was prepared in October 2010 to help school authorities develop their own policies on wireless network saftety.

Emerging Technologies in the 21st Century: A Summary of Final Reports (2008)

This summary was written to share the outcomes and lessons learned from the Emerging Technologies in the 21st Century projects which took place in the 2006/2007 school year.

Technology and High School Completion Literature Review (2007)
This literature review was prepared to provide background and research-based information to guide educators’ decision making as they strive to improve high school completion rates in Alberta through the use of technology.