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Eccles

Richard Nelson, Project Manager
Eccles College with Salford College, Pendleton College,
Langdon College and Salford City Learning Centres
http://www.ecclescollege.ac.uk

Project:

“Mobile IN Salford”

The project will explore the potential of hybrid PDA/phone devices, with 3G capability, to enhance learning in and out of the classroom. It will develop methods of 2- way interaction between mobile devices and college managed learning environments and learner tracking systems and explore how these can be used to capture student opinion by creating facilities for a running dialogue throughout courses. It will exploit the potential of closed social networks to develop collaborative learning across the four colleges using mobile devices.

The end result of this project will be significant take up of the use of mobile learning devices, improved success rates at Level 1 and 2, improved collaboration between college, better engagement, particularly of male students and greater employability of students with learning difficulties and disabilities in all the colleges in Salford.

Salford is an area with low (though improving) levels of achievement at 16 and one of the lowest staying on rates post 16 in England. The main focus of the project is on students at Level 2 and below, including those with learning difficulties and disabilities. These are generally considered to have low levels of self-esteem and confidence in their ability as they have not achieved their aspirations through high school. The colleges face a constant battle to retain them in college and to motivate them to learn.

The project intends to improve the motivation, the quality of assignments and retention of the students described above. It will focus on using mobile technology for learning outside the classroom, whether that is on trips, educational visits, and work experience or work placement as part of an apprenticeship programme. To improve the life chances of these students the project should be undertaken now.

Target Audience:

16 – 18 yrs, Level 2 Vocational courses learning outside the classroom in Creative and Media, Public Services, Business, IT, Catering, Travel and Tourism, Animal Care, Maths and Sport Level 1 and 2. 80 Students, 15 staff 16-18 yrs. Level 1 Vocational courses Collaborative learning in Creative and Media, Public Services, Business, IT, Catering, Travel and Tourism, Animal Care, Maths and Sport Level 1 and 2.  80 Students, 15 staff 16 – 18 yrs. Academic Gathering student opinion Mixed range of AS/A2 courses Level 3, 150 students, 20 staff.16-18 yrs. LDD Learning outside the classroom  - developing Independence Mixed courses / Duke of Edinburgh Level 1 and 2, 16 students 5 staff.

The students at Langdon College will be using UMPCs to assist with the curriculum areas of Independent Living Skills and Skills for Life