Hands On Support in Shropshire

Working with a PE department today in the north of the county who are very keen to adopt performance analysis software as a means to enhance learning in their classrooms. We looked at using cSwing as a way to allow pupils to assess their own performance on-the-fly, to make an instant appraisal and make improvements. The use of this software addresses a number of points in raising achievement through assessment for learning, notably in learners measuring their own improvement against stated goals.

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The word is spreading about blogging. I introduced the concept to some heads of department today and they were very interested in using blogs in a number of ways. It’s about time that the read/write web came into the popular consciousness, where people can start using it in innovative ways to enhance learning. Topics we discussed today included the use of blogs for pupils to interact with their learning materials in new ways, and the benefits and inherent dangers of allowing a public publishing medium.

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It’s a privilege to meet such lively and enthusiastic teachers as those I worked with today. It makes my job so much more enjoyable when teachers have already seen the value that ICT can bring to a learning experience, through new skills, new ways of working, immediate changes and revisions to work. Isn’t that what it’s all about, to make learning fulfilling and a process that is worthwhile to the learner? ICT isn’t the only answer, it’s just part of the contemporary mix of tools at a good teacher’s disposal so when I meet teachers who deny pupils the benefits that ICT might bring I get very disappointed. Happily though, the teachers I work with are always inspiring to their pupils and the vast majority are keen to adopt new ways of working if it means that their learners will have more opportunity to succeed.