As ICT co-ordinators in Bridge Integrated Primary School, our journey in e-learning began a few years ago when C2k offered us training in LearningNI. We were excited at the prospect of putting a course online that pupils could access both in school and at home. A forthcoming residential trip to Shannaghmore Outdoor Education Centre provided a valuable opportunity to trial this new approach. We created an online course and uploaded photographs of the activities children would encounter e.g. bouldering, climbing wall, kayaking. Then we posted a simple question in the discussion area, ‘Which of these activities are you looking forward to and why?’ We were overwhelmed by the range and quantity of responses – pupils were sharing their excitement and anticipation alongside valid anxieties and fears. This allowed their peers to offer reassurance and share positive stories from their own experience or that of their siblings. Had this discussion taken place in class it would, undoubtedly have been more teacher led whereas this online environment allowed us to take a step back, enabling pupils to provide support for each other by promoting positive attitudes. They were posting comments and interacting with each other in the evenings, at weekends and even over holiday periods. This made us realise the potential for this type of learning as it generated so much enthusiasm. We noted that in particular some of the quieter pupils in our classes contributed significantly more than they normally would have in a classroom setting. This positive experience left us eager to embrace the e-learning platform to further enhance our teaching.
More recently we have been seeking to use ICT to collaborate within and beyond the classroom, to share and exchange pupils’ work and showcase their learning. Having participated in the CCEA ICT Accreditation scheme for many years, we were conscious that we needed to provide new opportunities for pupils to Exchange in meaningful contexts. We therefore availed of free training provided by C2K. At the same time we were embarking on a World Around Us topic based on the Titanic. Eamon from C2k made some wonderful suggestions and inspired us to wholeheartedly embrace eLearning as an innovative way to enhance teaching and learning. Despite our initial feelings of apprehension, we were determined to have a go, having the full support of our principal, Mrs Teresa Devlin, and knowing that we were very much supported by C2K. Links were established links with Andrews Memorial and Good Shepherd Primary Schools and, together we created an on-line course about the Titanic, which we are very excited to begin using this term. The course will allow pupils to create blogs and enter discussion forums, where they can record their personal learning and comment on each other’s opinions. This will be a valuable opportunity for reflective peer assessment. As the 6 week course unfolds, pupils will create wikis on a different aspect of the Titanic’s journey (taking the form of video clips, audio or poster files etc.) allowing them to take control of their own learning.
In addition we see this as a fantastic way of developing our own professional skills in the area of ICT. It will take us into the realm of video conferencing – a personal first for both of us, yet challenging us to move beyond our comfort zone. We are very excited to be taking part in a Virtual Field trip to the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum at Cultra, where we will hear experts impart their valuable knowledge and expertise without us even leaving the classroom!
The Virtual Fieldtrip is being made possible by neelb.tv. Peter Simpson said: “We at neelb.tv are very pleased to be working with our colleagues at C2K once again and feel that this type of joined up approach to supporting education provides schools with a unique and powerful resource”.
Paddy Gilmore who is Director of Learning and Partnership at NI Museums commented: “National Museums Northern Ireland is delighted to be involved in this collaborative partnership which showcases the opportunities for learning and engagement that are available for children at all of our sites”.
As we embark on a very blended approach to learning we have no doubt that challenges do lie ahead but we hope that it will be a rewarding and valuable experience for everyone involved. Ultimately we hope to share our experiences with other colleagues and encourage them to jump aboard the eLearning train!
If you would like to be involved in the Titanic Course, please contact Eamon McAteer at eamon.mcateer@c2kni.org.uk for further details.
Audrey Turley & Elaine Young
Bridge Integrated Primary School, Banbridge |
