Smartmovetobring technology into class

THERE WAS a time when a whiteboard with coloured pens was the height of newtechnology.Compared to chalk and a blackboard, the shiny white surface presented all sorts of possibilities. How things have changed. In many schools, information and communications technology (ICT) is now used across the curriculum to enhance teaching and learning.

ColinJacksonisheadof computingat YavnehCollege,Borehamwood.Hesays: “We use cloud technologies [internetbased computing] to allow collaboration between pupils and easy monitoring by teachers and this year sees us trialling a ‘bring your own device’ scheme, where pupils in key stage four [from age 14] upwards can bring in a laptop or tablet to use in lessons across the curriculum. We believe in encouraging learners to use real-world tools to do their work, as these are the skills they will need when they leave school.”

Where not so long ago phones were banned from class, schools are now embracing them. Andy Sims, deputy head at the John Lyon School in Harrow, says: “All boys are encouraged to bring smartphones to school, where they can learn how best to use them. Smartphones are used to receive homework tasks, access our virtual learning environment (VLE) and for interactive quizzes and collaborative tasks. In some subjects work is submitted and analysed online, with students receiving feedback through our VLE. However, while most examination boards still opt for written exams, we feel it is important to teach our boys written skills, hence most written work is still carried out by hand.

“From September 2017 boys will be expected to bring their own device, giving them ownership and personalisation of their own equipment. This year we have launched an interactive learning wall, which allows several students to work on a large classroom space at any one time, while elsewhere we are trialling standing desks, to see if this too enhances engagement, enjoyment and learning outcomes.”

The Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School in Elstree has developed a “secret agentmission”fortheBBCmicro:bitinitiative (the micro:bit is a handheld, fully programmable computer given free to every year seven or equivalent in the UK. It is 70 times smaller and 18 times faster than the original BBC Micro computers used in schools in the early 1980s.) With this pocket-sized computer, pupils can bring their ideas for games and apps to life, as part of a school-wide drive in “computational thinking”.

“Although derived from the technology sector, computational thinking is essentially about breaking down complex problems and focusing on the core skills needed to design and implement successful, empathetic solutions,” says Ian Phillips, head of ICT at Habs’ Boys. “We are innovating systems, inspired by our working relationships with Google, Microsoft and Intel, to ensure our boys have the skills they need to be the global Haberdashers’ Boys “build skills to solve the challenges of the future” citizens who will help solve the challenges of the future.”

There is a darker side to technology. Bullying, once confined to the playground or streets, can now find its way intoachild’shomethroughcyberspace.

“We tackle e-safety in a holistic way at Yavneh College,” says Jackson. “Just because this area involves technology doesn’t mean it only has to be taught about in computing lessons, because a lot of it is about social issues and pupils learning to think critically about what they are doing online. So we deliver messages about e-safety in assemblies, through PSHE lessons and in other subjects, as well as using computing lessons to teach pupils what they need to do technically to stay safe. Teachers... are trained to listen out for what pupils are saying about how they use technology and to treat this the same as they would suspected bullying or other concerns in the real world.”

Online safely is treated just as seriously at the John Lyon School. “Incidents of bullying are extremely rare and dealt with firmly,” says Sims. “The best way for our boys to stay safe online is to allow them to use technology within school with a clear and fair policy on use; we educate them on how to use online resources safely, with support from well-trained teachers.”

Phones are used for interactive quizzes and tasks’