Valuable data? Using walkthrough methods to understand the impact of digital reading platforms in Australian primary schools

ABSTRACT

This paper critically examines the design and impact of two commonly used education platforms for reading, PM eCollection and Epic. Framed by a data justice lens, the study employs a walkthrough methodology to examine the ways each platform (re)configures teaching and learning practice, and more broadly schooling. The study extends the method by engaging three primary school teachers in the walkthrough process embedded in their practice. Findings demonstrate significant asymmetries in the value derived from the data practices of the digital reading platforms by teachers, schools and EduTech companies. While of limited value in teacher’s practice, the use of the digital platforms and data has implications for the way reading is represented, students are made visible and treatment of teachers, students and families.

KEYWORDS:

• Data justice
• walkthrough method
• education platforms
• datafication
• primary school

Acknowledgements

We confirm that all the research meets the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements of the study country. The authors acknowledge that we have seen, read, and understood the journal’s guidelines on copyright.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

Data pertaining to PM eCollection and Epic were collected during the period of September 2021–January 2022.

1 PM eCollection Cengage Australia – https://cengage.com.au/primary/browse-series/pm/pmecollection.

2 Epic landing page – https://www.getepic.com/

3 PM eCollection Cengage Australia – https://cengage.com.au/primary/browseseries/pm/pmecollection

4 Educators Epic – https://www.getepic.com/educators

5 PM eCollection Cengage Australia – https://cengage.com.au/primary/browseseries/pm/pmecollection

6 ibid.

7 PM eCollection is promoted through a series of digital materials and professional learning resources on the PM website, including downloadable reports and support videos. https://cengage.com.au/pmstory, https://cengage.com.au/primary/browse-series/pm/pmecollection/pm-ecollection-support

8 PM eCollection Cengage Australia – https://cengage.com.au/primary/browseseries/pm/pmecollection

9 Educators Epic – https://www.getepic.com/educators

10 Epic landing page – https://www.getepic.com/

11 ibid.

12 Parent page Epic – https://www.getepic.com/parents

13 Cengage privacy policy – PM eCollection falls under the Cengage’s general privacy policy – https://cengage.com.au/privacycentre

14 Epic School Privacy Policy – https://www.getepic.com/privacy-educators; Epic General Privacy Policy – https://www.getepic.com/privacy

15 Epic Privacy Promise – https://www.getepic.com/school-privacy-promise

16 Cengage privacy policy – PM eCollection falls under the Cengage’s general privacy policy - https://cengage.com.au/privacycentre

17 Educators Epic – https://www.getepic.com/educators

18 Epic Privacy Promise – https://www.getepic.com/school-privacy-promise

19 Epic School Privacy Policy – https://www.getepic.com/privacy-educators

20 ibid.

21 Epic General Privacy Policy – https://www.getepic.com/privacy

22 Epic School Privacy Policy – https://www.getepic.com/privacy-educators