#BETT2011 - St. Thomas Primary School in Angus shortlisted for Guardian Classroom Innovation Award

Marie Fenton from St. Thomas Primary School in Angus has recently been shortlisted for a Guardian Classroom Innovation Award. The awards are being run by the Guardian Newspaper in association with ASUS Computers.

I was at the ASUS standing checking out the new ASUS Windows 7 Eee Slate EP121 PC (I would love to do a more robust classroom test on this at some point?) when I bumped into Marie Fenton by complete accident.  

Marie was able to tell me all about her blended learning project which makes use of a variety of technologies including Google Sketch Up and digital video.

 

"The P7 class at St Thomas primary is using technology to raise the level of engagement/attainment across the range of abilities. Language skills in particular are a challenge for some of the pupils. These same pupils have shown distinct abilities and interests in computers and visual perception based activities. For medieval studies, using documentaries allows quick access to necessary information, which the children supplement by referring to search engines and literature. They process the information by creating dioramas and once they have greater spatial awareness of the layout, they use Sketchup8 to create 3D technical drawings of the buildings and furnishings. Making their own videos recording the learning experiences, affords them a further range of skills.

Using technology to communicate their ideas removes many of the inhibitions associated with their learning and promotes the skills learned in the light of skills for work in later life."

Well done Marie - more information about the project here.

 

Comments

[Craig Williams]

I know this is a strange place to comment but I recently got a request from a teacher in Cambodia who was struggling with the technology of keeping sound from the play area (mud under the school room) from rising up into the main teaching area. It occured to me that practical projects like these would never be thought of in a technology class - but what a wonderful opportunity for students to help students by turning these practical issues into cost effective soluctions. It's not always about food and water and politics.