M.Ed. Keijo Sipilä conducted research on the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in the processes of teaching, studying, and learning in Western Finland in 2008–2011. The doctoral dissertation focuses on the approaches and attitudes of teachers and pupils toward using ICT in teaching.

Research shows that pedagogical changes in educational institutions have not been as quick as technological advances. It is not sufficient to merely bring technology to schools; making a more holistic change in the practices of everyday teaching and learning requires more. One of the reasons is that a national, top-down change for implementing ICT as part of teaching, studying, and learning has not been successful enough to concretise changes in educational institutions. In addition to technological equipment, training and concrete models are needed.

“When teachers start using ICT in teaching, it supports them in acquiring more expertise in the use of ICT and helps them move toward a more natural integration of educational technology in their teaching”, Sipilä states.

Students, who are not motivated to learn or regard themselves as less successful in studying, do not feel motivated toward the use of ICT. If new technology is used following old pedagogical models, learning motivation will remain only on new equipment and will not remain high in the long run. The use of pedagogically justified methods and software would help students to notice that technology can advance learning.

“A time of standstill has come to an end”, Sipilä says. “Mobile devices and wireless networks are introducing technology as an established part of everyday teaching and studying. Finally, technology can be put to good use where teaching and learning naturally take place.”

The doctoral dissertation is composed of five sub research works conducted in collaboration with teachers and pupils of schools in Western Finland in 2008–2011.

The first sub research work focuses on mapping the attitudes of pupils in basic education and motivation toward learning in relation to ICT and virtual learning environments in teaching. The second sub research work was carried out to discover whether a laptop provided to a teacher by the employer for personal use had an effect on teachers’ attitudes toward technology. The third sub research work, then again, focused on finding out how much and in what ways did teachers use teaching technology, and what was their ICT-related proficiency level. The fourth sub research work analysed pupils when they used mind maps both as a method of learning and as a programme in visual arts lessons. The fifth sub research work gives an overview to teachers’ views on utilising ICT in teaching.


About the public examination of the dissertation:

The doctoral disseration No Pain, No Gain? Educational Use of ICT in Teaching, Studying and Learning Processes: Teachers’ and Students’ Views will be examined in the Faculty of Education at the University of Lapland (Yliopistonkatu 8, Rovaniemi, lecture hall 2) on Friday 20 December 2013 at 12 noon. Professor Hannele Niemi from the University of Helsinki will be the public opponent, and Professor Heli Ruokamo will be the custos.


Information on the doctoral candidate:

Keijo Sipilä completed his senior secondary school diploma at the Kemin lukio in 1985. Sipilä obtained his Master of Education degree at the University of Lapland in 1993. He worked as a classroom teacher in Kaarina and Lieto in 1991–2000 and as a coordinator of online teaching and teaching coordinator in Lieto in 2000–2011. Currently Sipilä is Head of Educational Technology in Kaarina.


Further information:

Keijo Sipilä, keijo.sipila (at) gmail.com, tel. +358 50 314 6173
Press copies of the doctoral dissertation are available in the Lapland University Press, tel. +358 40 821 4242, publications (at) ulapland.fi


Publication data:

Keijo Sipilä: No Pain, No Gain? Educational Use of ICT in Teaching, Studying and Learning Processes: Teachers’ and Students’ Views. Acta Universitatis Lapponiensis 269. Lapland University Press: Rovaniemi 2013. ISBN 978-952-484-694-3. ISSN 0788-7604.


Sale:

Academic and Art Bookshop Tila (University of Lapland Library, Yliopistonkatu 8, Rovaniemi), tel.+358(0)40 821 4242, publications (at) ulapland.fi, online orders at www.ulapland.fi/lup


ULapland / Communications / TN