These were the underlying and challenging questions of the ERNIST project. (European Research Network for ICT in Schools of Tomorrow). The outcomes of the ERNIST project are brought together in the European Schoolnet's Insight knowledge base (http://insight.eun.org) and in several printed publications. They comprise 20 school portraits from six countries, a series of papers related to evidence-based policy-making, ICT policy scenario planning, research answers to teachers' questions, ICT and organisational change and success factors in networks.

Decision making process differs from country to country from institution to institution. However, all decision makers need information and much depends on the availability of what is seen as relevant information that enables to include the most important factors and issues before an appropriate decision can be made. This might differ quite considerably as we move within different levels of decision making, as we move from policy to practice.

The underlying assumption of the ERNIST project was that political decisions in the ICT educational arena are currently short term orientated and very complex due to a constantly changing environment and new evolving needs. Among other reference points, research evidence belongs to the information decision makers, mostly at ministerial level, might look for, especially in time where return of investment in ICT is questioned. However, there is a numerous amount of research evidence available. It needs to be channelled and communicated in the right way to serve as a tool for decision making in a specific area, be it at ministerial level or for a headmaster at school.

The following brief will adopt a theme oriented approach that will make it easier for you to decide in which topic you want to go deeper and guide you directly to the respective document on the Insight website. http://insight.eun.org

Download the full brief (pdf) here.