Date of Award

2017

Document Type

Thesis

Publisher

Edith Cowan University

Degree Name

Master of Education

School

School of Education

First Supervisor

Associate Professor Geoffrey W. Lummis

Second Supervisor

Dr Jenny Lane

Abstract

The use of paper diaries to facilitate home-school communication for children with additional needs has shown to have numerous limitations. While the use of mobile digital devices has increased in schools, little research exists into the use of these devices for home-school communication purposes. This study explored the effects of using a digital diary to facilitate home-school communication for primary aged children with additional needs. A constructivist multiple case study approach was used. The digital diary utilised the software application Evernote. This free application was hosted on study participants’ mobile devices or accessed over the Internet. Pre-innovation interviews and surveys were conducted with a group of parents (n=10) and teachers (n=8). The digital diary was trialled for eight weeks. Parents and teachers’ experiences of the digital diary were investigated through post innovation interviews. The results showed an increase in situational awareness, collaboration, child involvement and parental engagement. Overall the study showed a range of potential advantages for using a digital diary to facilitate home-school communication for children with additional needs.

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