Summary:
The Mobile Phones Pilot Programme supported the delivery of Functional Skills in ICT and English with a specific focus of creating enhanced witness statements for the ASDAN Qualification. Learners were presented a challenge to create digital videos on the development stages of their babies using their Mobile Phones as part of the Parents with Prospect and Young Moms To Be scheme.

Batman’s Hill Teenage Pregnancy Unit:
Batman’s Hill Teenage Pregnancy Unit is located in Tipton, Sandwell. The Unit maximises the 14-19 educational environment for students to develop parenting skills and access a mainstream curriculum. The Unit follows an integrated approach that works in tandem with Sandwell Teenage Pregnancy Strategy linking to the Children’s & Young People’s Plan. The Pilot Programme involved working with 18 students, (15 young mothers and 3 pregnant teenagers) aged between 15 – 20 year olds. Staff from the Unit and the CLC were available to support the delivery of this programme.

The Pilot Programme involved working with 18 students, (15 young mothers and 3 pregnant teenagers) aged between 15 – 20 year olds. Staff from the Unit and the CLC were available to support the delivery of this programme.

Students were presented a challenge to create digital video clips illustrating the development stages of their babies using their mobile phones. The outcomes of the programme linked to Functional Skills in ICT and English.

The key objective for this programme was to raise awareness of the physical, intellectual, emotional and social milestones that occurs when having babies. Through their video diaries, students needed to illustrate a thorough understanding of baby development in order to submit as part of their witness statements for gaining an ASDAN qualification. Other objectives included investigating baby progress and development through ‘playful’ activities and to use a virtual learning platform as a tool to support key aspects of the pilot programme.

Actions Taken:
From September 2007 to July 2008, students from Batman’s Hill Pregnancy Unit took part in a pilot programme of using iPods to bridge the gap between leisure and learning. Students completed various challenges and created enhanced podcasts linking to the ASDAN qualifications. As an outcome to that project, it was suggested by the students to pilot a similar programme of creating digital videos using their ‘mobile phones’. Therefore, it was agreed with the staff from the Unit to undertake another pilot programme of using Mobile Phones to communicate, collaborate and create digital video resources to improve learning outcomes.
“Everyone has a mobile phone and not an iPod, that’s why it is practical tool for learning”.

A planning meeting with the lead staff was arranged to highlight the e-learning focus, objectives and activities for the programme. Following the planning meeting, a training session for all staff was arranged to use filming and editing equipment. This included using the camcorders and iMovie editing software on Apple Technology. The training session offered a unique CPD opportunity for staff to develop skills in ICT, which could be applied across the curriculum. A video conferencing session was organised a week prior the visits to the CLC in order to introduce the programme.

The planning of this programme also involved working with lead staff in creating a virtual learning workspace for students to access materials anytime, anywhere. The virtual workspace was set up for students to access useful web links, picture galleries and contribute to discussion boards relating to the programme.

The programme involved working at the CLC for two morning sessions and an outreach session at the Unit. The first CLC session was organised for students to practice filming using the camcorders and their mobile phones highlighting various camera angles. Students also practiced how to edit footage using iMovie software by adding text, effects and transitions. Towards the end of the session, an introduction to the virtual learning workspace was delivered to the students as a support tool for the programme.

The outreach session to the Unit involved students to present their storyboards and scripts to the CLC staff and to film their babies and toddlers in the nursery. The digital videos illustrated the progress the children were achieving by developing skills in talking, reading and creating through playful active learning.

Students attended their final session at the CLC in which they edited their footage from the camcorders and their mobile phones using iMovie software. They added text, videos effects and music to their clips and then converted the files to be blue-toothed onto their mobile phones. As an outcome, a collection of video clips were created to submit to the examiners in the Summer Term 2009, as witness statements for the ASDAN Qualification.

Barriers and Enablers:

Barriers:
The CLC and the Unit encountered a diffculty of using the virtual learning platform. Not all students had usernames and passwords to access the learning platform during the delivery of the programme. This resulted that not all students could access the discussion boards and useful information which was created for them. However, the Unit now has the usernames and passwords for all students and will be able to re-visit the virtual learning platform at the Unit.

Enablers:
Creating, Collaborating and Communicating using Mobile Phones was a successful programme due to:
• Every learner owning a mobile phone with advanced features such as camera and MP3 player. Learners were motivated and enthusiastic about project knowing that they could use their mobile phones for learning.
• Every member of staff receiving training in filming and editing digital videos. Staff were in a confident position to support students in the CLC and at the Unit.
• Working in extended blocks of time to carry out the programme. This supported students to carry out any research information and gathering of images and practice footage in preparation for the programme.

Evidence of Success:

Piloting the use of mobile phones for learning enabled vulnerable learners to be confident and motivated in producing improved learning outcomes. The mobile phones enabled learners to:
• Publish and share videos in a versatile manner,
• Keep connected to learning both in and out of the classroom and to share examples of work with other.
• Access a 21st century technology tool to shape their learning experiences.

This programme enabled vulnerable learners to use their leisure technologies to connect and engage in learning. The mobile phones had an impact on the learners as they were able to share and shape their learning experiences through the use of the blue-tooth and camera functions.

The learning environment at the CLC contributed in producing quality outcomes due to working in extended lengths of time and having additional CLC staff support. Learners had ownership for their project as they had the freedom to choose their own learning spaces and the flexibility to make decisions.

This programme has also increased staff confidence in using technology across the subject areas. For example, it was discussed with staff that they will encourage more use of mobile phones within:
• Maths, in using the calculator function.
• Art, for taking digital images and documenting evidence.
• Science, for using the video recorder to record science experiments.
• Languages, for using the voice recorder to develop speaking and listening skills.

As a result to this programme, the technology contributed in narrowing the gap and improving engagement of learners to produce enhanced learning outcomes to support Functional Skills and the Asdan Qualification.

The Unit will carry out sustainable programmes in creating digital videos to track the development stages of children in the Spring/Summer Term. Having developed skills in creativity, collaboration and ICT, the Unit is in a confident position to promote the use of mobile phones for supporting raising attainment and improving learning outcomes. Staff will implement the use of mobile phones and the learning platform within their schemes of work for students to continue learning in a versatile 21st Century manner.

Future Developments:

Currently, the Unit are in discussion on producing a Mobile Phones Policy for students to use for learning. This will involve teaching the students how to use the mobile phones in a constructive manner.

Recently, the Unit have had a unique opportunity to present at the ICT Register Conference in January 2009, outlining the details and outcomes of the mobile phone pilot. The Unit have had the opportunity to showcase and celebrate the work produced by students and to promote top tips for using mobile phones in education.