Evaluating Information Technology-supported Local Management of Schools: The User Acceptability Audit

Abstract

In the second of two papers which consider aspects of the Local Management of Schools, P. Wild and S.J. Richardson of the University of Loughborough and J. E. Scivier of Nottingham Polytechnic comment that whilst many LEAs have implemented new information technology systems to support LMS much less attention has been given to establishing techniques for evaluating the success of these systems. Working from a human factors perspective they report on a study which aims to apply and refine a set of 'tools' developed by the Human Sciences and Advanced Technology Research Institute (HUSAT) at the University of Loughborough as a means of identifying harriers and promoters to systems acceptance. The study focuses on direct users in secondary schools