Using the Learning Gateway to communicate, collaborate & create

Which of the CLC's aims and objectives did the project hope to cover?
- Improve access to and use of the latest educational technology for students, teachers and the community.
- Increase attainment levels through the use of technology.
- Improve the quality of teaching and learning.
- Act as a test bed for innovation and new ways of working.

The Project and its Aims
The focus of the project was to support Year 11 students from Bristnall Hall Technology College in supporting attainment for the Anthology section of the AQA English Examination. A specific aim for this project was to increase the number of A-A* grade gained at GCSE English Language, as this was a key OfSTED action point from the Department’s recent report.
Other objectives for the programme were:
- To enable students to have a greater understanding of the AQA Anthology
- To consider the English language for effect.
- To consolidate their knowledge of poetic techniques used in language.
- To improve speaking and listening skills by recording rehearsing using iPods.
- To use the learning platform as a tool to collaborate and communicate ideas.
The students were working at grades B-A* in GCSE English.

How was the Project Run and Catered for?
A planning meeting was held with the English teacher from Bristnall Hall Technology College inorder to complete a planning matrix, agree the target group, levels and objectives of the programme, as well as identifying any training requirements. It was agreed that the task would be to...

‘create a series of revision based podcasts focusing on the AQA Anthology, Poems from Other Cultures.’

A training session was organised with the English staff in creating podcasts using iPods and the software GarageBand. Further training was delivered in creating a virtual workspace on the Learning Gateway for students to access anytime, anywhere in order to support them with their preparatory work.

On the virtual workspace, the task brief, aims and objectives of the programme were highlighted. Useful web links to other educational sites were uploaded onto the Gateway for students to access when creating their podcast scripts. The class teacher also uploaded a series of examination style questions for students to reply to. This section of the workspace was particularly useful, as students were able to collaborate and communicate their opinions about the poems.

Two morning sessions were allocated to for the Year 11 students to visit the City Learning Centre. Prior to the visits, the students prepared a script for their podcast using the virtual workspace at school and at home. Each group highlighted key elements of the poems followed by a model answer to an anthology exam question.

On the first visit to the CLC, students rehearsed their script using iPods and the speaker docks. iPods were used in order to develop and improve the quality of speaking and listening skills. Considerable time was allocated to the rehearsals as students were able to playback the recordings, assess the quality and make further improvements to their voice-overs before recording it onto GarageBand. During this session, students also created text based slides highlighting quotations from the poems as part of the podcasts.

The second session was organised for the students to edit their podcasts on GarageBand by adding sound effects, music and images. Students worked collaboratively to make sure that their podcasts were of high quality for the showcase. During the showcase, students listened very carefully to the model answers and commented on positive points for improvements.

Outcomes of the Project:
The final outcome of the programme was the creation of informative podcasts using latest technology and a learning platform. The podcasts illustrated model style exam questions and answers which will be used as a revision tool for the AQA Anthology exam paper. Students were very enthusiastic about the programme and in particularly using the Learning Gateway. The virtual workspace focussed students' learning in researching specific informations on the poems and uploading their thoughts and opinions. The English teacher is now trained to upload further questions on the topic in order to extend student learning anytime, anywhere. The work completed by students has contributed towards their speaking and listening assessment and the podcasts can also be viewed on the Learning Gateway

Lessons learnt:
The combination of work carried out at school and at home integrated with the visits to the CLC worked very well and ensured that the programme was a success, and enable a raise in attainment. Working intensively with the English teachers and students for the duration of the programme meant that the podcasts could be completed to a very high quality standard. Using a learning platform was a creative experience of working for staff and students that supported student learning and improved the quality of work. It has been agreed by staff that further training should be provided in developing the use of virtual workspaces for future programmes. MFL.