Scartho+Junior+School

media type="file" key="Neville Rice.mov" width="300" height="300" Project Research Question How can we maximise networking opportunities, in and across schools, to enable handheld technology to have an impact on teaching pedagogy?

Why have I chosen this? As an 'Alliance' of seven schools, gradually over the last few years, we have developed a number of 'Professional Learning Communities'. At the heart of these 'Professional Learning Communities' is the importance of networking across schools. These communities have evolved naturally, as and when a need arises. What I want to look at is how we can maximise the networking opportunities by focussing on this 'Handheld Learning Professional Learning Community'.

What will I be looking at over the first year?
 * First of all, I'll be looking at putting together a survey to gather baseline data on how they are used at homes and parental opinions.
 * This survey will also be given out at the end of the research project to see if there are any differences.
 * I'll also be looking at how I/we can facilitate regular network opportunities with all the participants in the action research project.
 * Also, I want to see how we can spread the practice to other schools and involve other schools who are using iPods.
 * I'll also be looking at how, as group of Alliance heads, we network and use handheld technology to move forward.
 * How can we use virtual technology to network?

How am I going to research this question?
 * Pro-actively arranging network meetings
 * Discussing with participants what their needs are.
 * Surveys to parents
 * Survey participants in the action research project

Phase 1 - May to Aug 2011 > > Phase 2 - Sept to Dec 2011
 * Refine and finalise research question
 * Complete plan for the period
 * Meet with KB to set up survey for parents for every child who has an iPod Touch in each school - May 2011
 * Devise the letter to go with survey - May 2011
 * Plan, hold and evaluate network afternoon for pupils. Focus is on developing a 'Top Ten Apps' - May 2011
 * Network meeting of group to explain project. Propose network visits to each school. Explore virtual/electronic networking - July 2011
 * Evaluate participant's opinions who have taken part in the fortnightly iPod training sessions. Surveys at end of project - July 2011
 * Co-ordinate and plan for handheld learning conference - August 2011
 * Survey given out to all parents of children with iPods - September 2011
 * Liaise with Masters student who is undertaking in handheld learning research at Scartho Junior School - September 2011
 * Meet with leader of handheld technology from Leas' to co-ordinate network approach. Plan G&T day for the Autumn Term - September 2011
 * Plan training opportunities in each school for parents - after school/weekend. Talk to Tony Kiddle to look at weekend possibilities - September 2011
 * Evaluate handheld learning conference - October 2011
 * Collation and analysis of parental surveys - October 2011
 * Network participants to visit one of the schools to join in with iPod lesson - Oct 2011 and Nov 2011. Plan and prepare - discuss with Heads of School.
 * End of term meeting with network group to explore progress. Explore possibility of meeting up informally to discuss progress and share ideas and approaches. How do we involve other schools? - December 2011

Phase 3 - Jan to Apr 2012
 * Liaise with Masters student who is undertaking handheld learning research at Scartho Junior School - January 2012
 * Network participants to visit one of the schools to join in with iPod lesson - Feb 2012 and March 2012
 * Plan, hold and evaluate network afternoon for pupils - March 2012
 * End of term meeting with network group to explore progress - April 2012

Phase 4 - Apr to July 2012 >
 * Liaise with Masters student who is undertaking handheld learning research at Scartho Junior School - January 2012
 * Network participants to visit one of the schools to join in with iPod lesson - May 2012 and June 2012
 * Survey sent out to parents - June 2012
 * Analyse survey sent out to parents. Compare with previous year's survey - July 2012
 * Survey given out to all participants in the action research project - July 2012
 * End of project review - July 2012