Molenet - West Thames College

Year 3: eGo (English on the Go) 2009/2010

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Project Description

This project will use technology as a catalyst to develop the language skills of ESOL and work-based learners when they are away from college. We will use Moodle social-networking modules for teaching staff to produce literacy activities and text-based dialogue which foster collaboration and scaffolding of learning amongst students in each group. The range of media will be extended to include pictures, voice recordings, and short video dialogue once students and staff have become confident with text-based discourse. The project will empower students to experiment with new ways of learning to discover which methods best suit their needs.

Aims

1. To exploit the full potential of mobile technology to support teaching and learning beyond the classroom.
2. To use technology as a vehicle for ESOL and work-based learners with basic literacy needs to develop their confidence and skills of English speaking, listening, and writing at times of their choosing when outside of the classroom
3. To substantially raise the profile of technology-supported learning within the college
4. To support teachers in their application of mobile technology in teaching and supporting learning
5. To develop sustainable and transferable technology-based solutions and supporting materials that support learners outside of the classroom

Objectives include:

Teachers:

• To identify and support the training needs of teachers taking part in the project and to enable them to cascade the training and resources to staff through staff development activities and in doing so allocating both time and training to ensure maximisation of skills. Staff will be mentored by e-champions throughout the project to ensure consistent and effective levels of support.

ESOL:
• To use mobile technology to enable ESOL learners to access resources outside of the classroom to enable active engagement in the learning process thus improving retention and achievement.
• To involve ESOL learners and ESOL learners following a vocational pathway in Hair and Beauty in the use of mobile devices to maintain contact and development of language and literacy skills whilst on work experience.
• Build links not previously available with the ESOL franchise provision to develop confidence and collaborative skills, supporting students to develop online communication skills and to enable the mutual support of students who would otherwise not have the opportunity to participate or meet online or face to face. This would build links with community groups.
• Identifying ESOL learners and giving them the opportunity to access a range of materials to develop language and literacy skills through the use of audio, visual and text based resources, making learning more accessible.

Royal Mail Work-based learners:
• To support work-based learners in improving literacy skills through access to online resources and in doing so to develop collaborative skills.
• The use of mobile devices to help Post office staff to develop ICT and embedded literacy skills. Make learning accessible using a range of techniques.

The generic objectives of the project are:
• To appraise the effectiveness of using mobile technologies in teaching and learning and to assess the benefits to learners and measure the distance travelled for both staff and students. Additionally to offer training and support to ensure staff and students are able to engage with the technology and in doing so extend classroom based activities and motivate learners.
• To enable interfacing with the existing virtual learning environment and in doing so design suitable resources for students relating to their course. Encouraging learner participation to develop and create resources to support independent learning leading to enhanced employability skills.

Target audience:

• ESOL students working towards language/literacy at E1/2/3 or L1. All 19+, with little access to English at home, including asylum seekers, refugees, and students from Eastern Europe

• 20 students from Hair and Beauty Destinations course (14 hrs in college, studying English and a vocational subject), and 3 teachers.

• 60 ESOL Adult students, who study English for 6-10 hours per week in College, together with 3 teachers.

• 20 community-based ESOL learners.

• 40 Royal Mail learners studying IT level 1 and L1 numeracy and literacy for 1.5 hours per week at their workplace. The majority speak English as a second language.