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St Helens College

Year 2: SMiLE@SHC (Supporting Mobile Learning at St Helens College) 2008/2009

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The project enables teaching, technical and learning support staff to develop understanding/skills in the practical aspects of the use of mobile technology and also aims to inspire them to investigate ways in which other easily accessible technologies can be used to deliver course content and support the learning and assessment process.

On completion of the SMiLE project, experience and expertise gained by the participants will be disseminated as best practice across college.

Project Aims

The project aims to:

  • improve future teaching and learning by engaging and inspiring ITT staff to use mobile technologies and develop a range of active learning resource.
  • use technology familiar to learners to link fieldwork and classroom learning activities to personalise and build confidence
  • use mobile learning to add range and value to the learner experience and provide increased accessibility to learning
  • disseminate best practices to promote the mobile learning agenda
  • increase retention, achievement and success on chosen programmes and enrichment
  • pilot and evaluate personalised learning approaches using m-technologies and identify sustainable exit strategies

Project Objectives

To:

  • Promote the use of Web 2.0/3.0 technologies to develop curriculum resources and integrate m-technologies to extend learning beyond the classroom, accessible on demand via the provision of pedagogically sound content that supports and enhances learning.
  • Engage Enrichment and SLDD learners using technology which addresses a variety of learning styles and promote autonomy by providing context specific mobile learning opportunities
  • Encourage student teachers to use new technologies which enhance the learning journey and engage all stakeholders in the development, evaluation and repurposing of mobile learning resources
  • Promote cultural change by offering access to diverse and high-quality personalised learning
  • Address the issue of disadvantaged learners by facilitating the loan of equipment
  • Allow learners to experience an array of exciting and motivating opportunities in preparation for further study
  • Encourage teaching/mentoring staff to work collaboratively contributing to the iFL 30hrs CPD requirement
  • Explore the impact of mobile technologies on departmental learning/teaching and identify the issues/challenges for the personalisation agenda
  • Disseminate good practice and exchange experiences amongst departments and the FE System
  • Evaluate sustainability to promote a whole organisational approach to deploying new technologies

As participants in this project, learners from Sports, Animal Care, Horticulture, ICT and Teacher Training will use mobile technologies, encouraging one another to become autonomous learners. Learners will collaborate with peers, tutors and parents throughout the project. The learners will be predominately off-site and will use digital/audio/gaming devices to access learning materials, taking greater responsibility for independent learning. These learners will benefit from greater flexibility, taking into account their busy lifestyles. By engaging them in reflective learning and by making the process more enjoyable it is hoped that a lifelong engagement to learning will be established.

The project will support a community of practice for training, deployment, support and evaluation. Staff will participate in the development of learning resources/activities adding another dimension to their teaching. Staff will be supported to ensure that ILT aspects of personalisation are taken forward will b established.

Expected Outcomes

  • Enhanced learner engagement, retention, achievement and progression in further and higher education and/or employment
  • Participants will experience raised self esteem. Using media familiar to them and offering a wider range of learning experiences, using existing e-Living skills
  • Improved independence of learners to plan their own learning
  • Learners will produce higher quality evidence
  • Participants will develop personalised learning environments through the use of new mobile technologies.
  • Engage and inspire learners to achieve their key skills qualifications through innovative learning using m-Learning
  • Increased tutor confidence in the use of mobile devices
  • Improved technical skills for all participants through making use of and exploiting the resources available to them.
  • SMiLe @ SHC will inform strategies for implementing mobile learning within vocational FE settings as a direct output from the project
  • Further develop existing and new collaborative partnerships and inform future curriculum development (Diplomas)
  • Generate sustainable strategies via e-Systems group

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