Combining Technologies to enhance learning-  One School’s Journey

During 2008/2009 the Stanley Avenue School Learning community spent considerable time forming a shared vision of their dream learner.  This vision represents a lifelong learner who is going to thrive in the 21^st century.  This begun a journey from vision to implementation. 

A key ingredient in setting our students up for success is the School’s strategic planning focus on emerging technologies that have the potential to enhance learning.  This strategic planning has been categorised into:

-           Investigating effective teacher pedagogy.

-          Developing and maintaining an efficient network with wireless access.

-          LMS to streamline communication and online strategies.

-          Emphasis on mobile computing (both net books and mobile phones). 

This combination is extremely powerful in enhancing student involvement, learning opportunities and achievement.   

This year Stanley Avenue School has been supported by Vodafone in an exciting project that brings mobile phones into the classroom.  Ten HTC ‘Magic’ smart phones have been introduced into the School’s year seven and eight classes to investigate as to whether they have the potential to enhance learning in and out of the classroom and increase communication between home and school.  Students have been trained in the use of the phones in an implementation process that moves from awareness, exploration, infusion, integration, expansion and refinement.  This model is based upon the work of The Levels of Teaching Innovation (LoTi) Framework which was first conceptualized by Dr. Chris Moersch in 1994. 

Students are now using the phones to do a wide range of things from:

-‘Capturing their learning’ by taking photos, video or posting to their USPACE blogs, portfolios and galleries. 

-Setting and monitoring goals. Then receiving feedback/ feed forward from peers, teachers and parents.    

-Taking part in online discussions and using the phone to help them solve problems. 

-Practicing their inquiry skills by using a combination of the internet and the range of apps available from the Android market. 

What we have observed to date.

Student engagement has been amazing.  A trial group of students were selected so that they could be trained in the use of the phones.  These students quickly came to grips with the phone and are now becoming involved in more complex tasks, such as selecting applications to do specific jobs.  The ability to navigate the School’s learning management system has been extremely valuable.  Students have been able to capture learning experiences and reflections not possible with desktop computers. This is anyone, anywhere and anyhow learning in action.  This in turn is breaking down the classroom walls and giving parents a powerful insight into their children as learners and students the opportunity to see themselves as being ‘in charge’ of their learning. Students are moving from a model of sharing their learning with a teacher to gaining positive feedback and advice from the whole learning community.     

What next?

We are excited about the potential of the phones and mobile learning in and out of the classroom.  The School is now working with Vodafone, EdTech, and SiTech in an exciting relationship to further enhance the opportunities for students.  Vodafone are streamlining their product and plans for the classroom, EdTech are continuing to develop their highly effective learning management system Ultranet and SiTech are experimenting with interactive software that will be able to be utilised on the mobile device. 

The GPS capability of the HTC phone combined with Vodafone’s data card creates a powerful EOTC device.  Later in the year an orienteering activity will be designed to utilise the mapping software.  Students are also going to be given the opportunity to promote Te Aroha by using the phones to capture landmarks and information to enhance the town’s Wikipedia entry. 

The School is going to launch a student’s USPACE from day one.  Senior students are going to use the phones to capture new entrants first day at School and upload to the child’s portfolio area so that parents can gain an insight into their child’s first day. 

During 2010 the School has a number of milestones it is aiming to meet based upon enhancing the school’s online learning community, increasing communication between school and home, continuing to develop the school’s vision of a lifelong learner through personalising experiences and developing structures to ensure progress is able to be sustained. 

As you can see, there is no limit to the opportunities mobile devices can bring to the classroom.  We hope to share more of our School’s exciting journey later in the year. 

Visit http://stanleyavenue.ultranet.school.nz/home/ for updates of our learners progress!