School Principal Questionnaire
The data collection within the framework of the DigiPrim project in May 2022 aims at closing the existing data gap on the status of digitalization in Swiss primary schools. According to the current state of research, a great heterogeneity can be assumed between the schools, between the school levels and between the language regions. Particularly in the case of very young pupils, the effects of digitalization at school on the development of competences have hardly been researched yet (see Digitisation Report).
The results of the analyses contribute to the development of differentiated school digitalization strategies that take into account different cantonal, school and family conditions. The findings obtained will therefore be communicated and conveyed to interested parties in educational policy, administration and practice.
Why is there a need for a school principal questionnaire?
Very little is known about the state of digitalization in Swiss primary schools. It is unclear, for example, what role digital media play in the everyday school life of Swiss pupils at the HarmoS 4 school level (equivalent to grade 2) and what opportunities and risks this entails. Thanks to the large-scale survey in cooperation with the ÜGK, it will be possible to present a differentiated picture of the current status quo of the digitalization process in Swiss primary schools.
The responses of the school principals also provide important information on the conditions for success of digitalization at primary level: What obstacles do school principals experience, what are the drivers of digitalization? Are the processes similar to those at secondary level or are there particular challenges in the younger classes?
The other information from the school principal questionnaire on relevant background information has explanatory value for the results of the ÜGK. Not only the personal and family characteristics of the students, but also the school context can have an influence on the students' performance.
What is being asked in the school principal questionnaire?
A special focus of the school principal questionnaire is the status of the digitalization process in the respective school. Among other things, we ask about the technical equipment, the use of digital media in the classroom, and the concepts and regulations for use by teachers and students.
The school principals are also asked for their personal assessment of obstacles and drivers, and opportunities and risks of digitalization for younger pupils. These assessments represent valuable and highly topical expert knowledge that is equally relevant for educational research and practice.
The school principal questionnaire also covers organisational and structural characteristics of the schools, such as the size of the school and the responsibilities of the school principal interviewed. Some questions also concern the person of the school principal and ask about his/her career path or attitudes towards his/her job.
Who should fill in this questionnaire?
The school principal questionnaire is filled out by the person responsible for the school participating in the ÜGK.
The school principal questionnaire takes around 30-40 minutes and is completed online. In addition, the school principals receive a PDF excerpt of the questionnaire so that they can compile (or have compiled) certain elaborate questions in advance. The required login details are sent to the school principals by e-mail.
What happens to the data?
The results on the use of digital media at home as well as at school are published in the form of various reports, on the DigiPrim website, and in scientific journals. DigiPrim does not serve any commercial purposes.
The data collected is archived for scientific purposes. All data collected is treated as strictly confidential and is subject to the Swiss Data Protection Act.
The data does not allow any conclusions to be drawn about individual children, parents or schools. The schools do not receive any feedback on the performance of their pupils.
Frequently asked questions about other contents of the questionnaire
Here you will find an extended FAQ as well as further information on the general part of the school principal questionnaire.