David Perry has been involved in the development of small-scale computers in schools for many years, primarily as a ‘critical friend’ to a series of innovatory projects. He has previously presented on this topic at several conferences. In this session he will draw on current projects showing some stunning developments, particularly from the Wolverhampton PDA scheme. He will then consider where learning will go when every pupil has their own personal computing device. This latter thinking comes from recent involvement with vision creation in the Building Schools of the Future (BSF) venture.
What David said:
David Perry Small Scale Computing
One no-brainer - “I want everyone to have their own device.”
In BSF, this concept is having momentum.
Try and use the term “Hand held computer” rather than PDA.
Lambeth 2000
Lots of technical problems, but lots of enthusiam. “Awe and wonder, so powerful”.
The core concern:
Computers in curriculum time
Pupil:compter ratio
Does not really make a difference - its pedagogy that is important. One one thing we need, when pupils need to use them, they must be available.
Term I use: Ubiquitious computing see, www.ubiq.com
A versatile computer when they need to.
Issue of mobile phone, but parents are paying for their children to have phones - a paradox.
The advantages:
- small size, always with you - Ubiquitious
- instantly on, no waiting for boot-up
- long battery life
- quantity of data they can hold
- easy sychronisation with PC/LAN
- peer-to-peer sharing of data
- wireless networking - internet and everything
Woverhampton shows they can do a huge amount. But there are obvious limitiations for some tasks - CAD etc.
Testing ubiquity:
“exploring potential must not mean half-hearted commitment”
Ubiquitous computing is difficult to test
Wolverhampton is doing so & learning lessons - now got over 1000 in use, with focued projects etc. Y6 yo Y7 transition
Lesson 1:
PDAs are not ready for implementation in schools out of the box.
Thorough preparation is needed.
- prepare systems integration package, must have management software - configuration restore ‘image’, content ‘image’
- clarify licfencing arrangements - home access to conent/ apps
- technical induction for teachers & technitians
- training programme for teachers (pedagogic) and resource preparation
- stock spare devices for immediate replacement of faults (not optional)
- clarify warranty and insurance commitmentsSchool level
- Training “There is no point giving thiese out cold. We started with ICT staff training, then subject staff and only then the pupils.” Secondary Headteacher
- Parental subscription important for buy-in (in Wolverhampton typically £1.50 a week)
- Acceptable use scheme - agreed with pupils (storage, access, carrying, internet, limitations of use etc)
- robust wireless networking (adequate coverage and access point ratio)Children’s skills
“The children have gone far beyond what they’ve been shown” Yr 5 teacher after 5 weeks
- Connecting to home wireless network
- animated growth cycle in Sketchy
- videoing ‘changing states’ water and ice for Science homework
ICT capability:
- internet eg. using gridclub
- storing work in e-portfolios
- using landscape view
- using Expresso and other content services
Lots of collaboration going on - both incidental and planned as part of the pedagogy. - “Ducks to water” is the phrase that comes to mind.
Teacher skills:
- converted from instructor to facilitator
- transferring power & responsibility to the pupils
One teachers response is to tell children:
“Make sure you tell four others how to do that before the end of the day” - ‘viral learning’Learning method are re-defined.
“It’s mine! I love it.”
- personal ownership
- emotional attachment
- small child friendly, game-machine-likeDo you feel a sense on belonging with your computer?
Is it a device of the future?
- cheap enough
- versatile
- enough applications
- genuiely supports learning
- portable enough to be useable
- personalising learning
So what shall we do with it - Ubiquitous, veratile computing
IT from push to pull
push in school
- assembilies
- lessons
textbooks
courses
qualificzations
pull in schools
- a purpose
- a desire to know
- an ability to find out - human, technical
- the abiltiy to use effectively / apply purposefully
All this is real learning
Questions:
“How young are thew children?”
Year 5 and 6.
“How do they cope in transfer?
The secondary schools are struggling to be honest. Some teachers are not comfortable when some have the device and others don’t.
“how important is that it goes in your pocket?”
Instant on, on boot up is very important
Project URL for Woverhampton:
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