Exploring Effective uses of the VLE through Student Laptops

1. Exploring Effective uses of the VLE through Student Laptops Simon Preston James Coughlan Bishop Challoner Catholic College

2. Overview 1). Background. 2). Virtual learning: Where we were? 3). Virtual learning: Where are we now? 4). Facilitating staff development in the maths department at Bishop Challoner. 5). Staff/student experiences. 6). Future challenges. 7). How we view teacher research. 8). Discussion

3. 1). Background • An outstanding Catholic comprehensive secondary school situated in Kings Heath Birmingham. • Specialist Science, Sports, Training School and Leading Edge. • Approximately 1100 students attend Bishop Challoner many from the most deprived parts of Birmingham.

4. Mission • At Bishop Challoner our aim is to develop a cutting edge education for our pupils. • We are therefore investing heavily in New Technologies which are going to be at the heart of education in the future. • We are developing an E-Learning strategy that will equip pupils with the skills needed for the 21st century.

5. Whole School Virtual Learning • Virtual learning environment (VLE) is highly developed. • Moodle operated. • Experts in each department provide support to staff working in their area. • All staff have a basic level of VLE training.

6. The Maths Department • 10 staff a mixture of experienced staff, SMT and newly qualified staff. Mostly Mathematics Specialists. • Keeping ahead of the game in terms of VLE development. • Students enjoy the subject and achieve outstanding academic results.

7. Picture the future of teaching…

9. The Netbooks are coming!

10. 2). Virtual learning: Where we were? • Two years ago all of year 9 were given net books. • Problems with wireless system – large sums of money invested to improve the network across the school. • As teachers – were we ready for this new technology? • VLE mainly a resource dump that lacked interactivity – students were using it. • Too many VLE courses.

11. 3). Virtual learning: Where are we now? • Exciting, engaging, interactive courses. • A powerful learning environment. • A vastly improved wireless network. • Teachers who are trained and confident to deliver to classes with net books. How did we get there?

12. What would make an effective VLE? • 6 key areas: • Diagnostic Assessments • Practice, Practice, Practice. • Investigative work • Differentiation • Cross-curricular opportunities • End of topic assessments

20. 4). Facilitating staff development in the maths department at Bishop Challoner.

21. The learning curve • What have we learnt? • Start small. • Communication has to be good. • Distribute leadership across the department and empower staff. • For the VLE to succeed it must be embedded in everyday practice. • Pool resources - Not reinventing the wheel – work smarter not harder.

22. WHOLE SCHOOL TRAINING BASIC LEVEL OF VLE TRAINING LEADERSHIP IN DEPARTMENT EXPLORE NEW VLE/NETBOOK USE OTHER STAFF FEED BACK INTO NEW EXPLORATION EXTERNAL TRAINING DISSEMINATE TO STAFF THROUGH VLE/MEETINGS/INSET TRIAL IN CLASSROOM REFLECT DISSEMINATE TO OTHER INSTITUTIONS

23. How was staff development achieved? • Flexibility and support of SMT. • Providing time to work with the VLE and making it a key component of department meetings. • Collective planning/peer mentoring. • Use the VLE to develop training courses. If it works for our students it should work for our staff! • Using NCETM funding to bring in expert trainers e.g. Google Earth/GeoGebra training.

24. Processing • Building skeleton courses. • Centrally pooling resources. • GeoGebra training/formation of GeoGebra group. • Google Earth training. • Other external training. • Dragmath. • Building links between courses. • Creating interactive course and using assignments. • Classroom trials.

25. How did we find the time? • Support from SMT and flexible timetabling. • High priority whole school. • Friday sessions. • VLE Inset days. • Use of gained time. • Collapsed days.

26. Reflection Task • If you were told you would have Netbooks to use with students in every lesson what would your initial reaction be? • What do you perceive the advantages of Netbook use in the classroom to be? • What are the potential disadvantages for you and your students?

27. Anticipated Staff Experiences • Issues with battery power. • Start up issues – locating VLE courses. • Netbook malfunction. • Internet problems. • Netbooks vrs textbooks. • Having to use Netbooks in every lesson. • Taking Netbooks away as a punishment. • Novelty wearing off. • Discipline issues.

28. Actual Staff Experiences • Powerful but lively learning environment. • Students progressing at their own pace. • Netbooks complementing usual practice not replacing it. • Students showing higher level of engagement. • Logistical issues soon overcome. • Higher level of work completion from students.

29. Student experiences! • Enjoyment. • Interactive and engaging. • What is that useful for? • Chance to play and explore maths interactively. • Developed ICT skills. • Increased organisational skills. • Improved confidence in presenting new ideas. • Able to work independently at home.

30. 6). Future Challenges • We believe we are already ahead of the game – but only just. • Netbook use in the classroom will be a reality for many schools in the not too distant future – many schools have already invested in this technology. • Can we keep up with the students? • Can we keep up with technological advancement? • How can we ensure New Technologies benefit our students and help them to become independent learners?

31. New Technologies • Embrace new technologies but do not become a slave to them. • How do we encourage teachers who are reluctant to change their practice? • It does not need to change – new technologies should complement existing practice. • Lack of software knowledge. • Lack of time.

32. 7). How we view teacher research • Not a “necessary evil” – but necessary to improve our practice and support our student’s development. • An enjoyable and challenging part of our own professional development. • An opportunity to think deeply about key issues in mathematics education and contribute to wider professional development. • Project management experience (good for inspiring leadership amongst staff)

33. Other research • With support from NCETM we are involved/have been involved in several research projects. • Widening participation at A-level. • STEM and algebra use. • Influential Institutions – how we use our VLE to support other schools. • Netbooks project.

34. Thank you for listening!