Innovation in schools

Too many times I've seen people working in public services being sent to generic "Basic ICT" training courses only to return to the same course a couple of years later when the company IT system changes, or a new version of Word and Excel are released. They may pass the course and get their certificate, but I've always wondered whether their digital skills have improved as a result. 

That's essentially why one of the main tasks of our Project is to lead the co-design of bespoke learning opportunities for public service workers that either develop digital skills or use digital technology as an integral part of the teaching and learning process when developing any other skill or competency (and usually, it's a combination of the two).

At the minute, we're working with Wrexham ITEC and the Key Connections adult community learning programme to design a course that not only helps school support staff such as teaching assistants to use iPads in the classroom (the hook) but helps them develop the digital literacies that means they have the confidence to embrace future technologies as they emerge.

We started by asking the staff who'll be on the course about how they use computers and the internet when they attended the launch of our new Digital Learning Hub at BAWSO in Wrexham. Clearly, as you can see from the photo, they can all use an iPad. And I know they can all scan a QR code and fill in an online questionnaire, because that's how we gathered the information. An important finding from that questionnaire was that the group is split 60:40 between those who already use iPads at work and those who don't.  Therefore one of the techniques we might well employ will be to get those with experience of using the iPad in the classroom to buddy with those who don't.

I've done a bit of digging, and found that Apple themselves have produced a range of resources for educators on getting the best out of the technology in the classroom. These look great and I'm sure that we'll use them as materials on the course, but for me, the more interesting side of this work is how we develop the kinds of transferable skills and confidence in people that will allow them to pick up new apps or bits of kit that are not yet even on the market, play with them without fear, and find new ways of applying them to their work and beyond.

My primary objective in this is to have this group ready and able to embrace the new technologies around them for years to come. It will also, hopefully, make formal training on specific devices, services or apps in the workplace more effective - crucial when training budgets are being squeezed everywhere. Beyond this, we want to enthuse the learners on this course to pass on their new found confidence to their colleagues, the children in the classroom, the parents in the Key Connections groups and their local communities. There are, we hope, wins here for everyone.  

Tomorrow morning I will be speaking with the tutor, Tim, who'll be delivering the course and we'll have a better idea how we're going to do this. 

More to follow....