Opening up a whole new world of learning

While investment in technology has revolutionised teaching in science at RGS, more funds are needed to roll out similar improvements throughout the school. We look at what a difference £100,000 can make

VITAL investment in new classroom technology at RGS has opened up a whole new world of learning.

Staff say the much needed £100,000* boost in the science department has revolutionised teaching and enhanced student learning significantly.

In addition to investment in improved speed and connectivity, each science classroom now has an 72-inch interactive smart screen, linked to the teacher’s laptop.

Head of physics Mike Shovlin says it’s a world away from the old-style projector linked to a desk top computer and basic white board he had to work with in the past.

“The biggest benefit is it makes the learning experience more personalised to a particular class and to students as individuals.

“They will have a record of everything they’ve covered in lessons along with their own notes, which they can add, and feedback that is specific to them, and that stays with them.

“There are lots of facets to it. It’s a fairly significant step-change in the student experience.”

Thanks to the new interlinked wireless devices, Mr Shovlin can seamlessly call up videos, write notes and pinch and zoom to illustrate points throughout a lesson.

All of this is recorded in a digital filing system so students have a complete record of everything they’ve gone through in class, to which they can add their own notes.

He can also share additional resources, such as sheets of questions, useful web links, videos and information about the marking scheme, with them.

Feedback on homework has also been transformed, he says, with voice notes and individual video feedback, including screen recordings of how to work through a particular problem, tailored to the areas a particular student needs help with.

Through their own laptops and personal computers, students can link to the system and make their own notes: “Hopefully, once we can link them to new devices that will open up an extra layer of what we can do.

“Once we reach a point where students are routinely handing in work digitally it will turn things around so much more quickly than the old style of marking.”

He sees potential for further innovations as teachers learn more about the myriad of opportunities the new system opens up.

“There is a lot of learning for staff as we work our way through the capabilities. But we are exploring it to the maximum.”

One of the most obvious early benefits, he says, is less time wasted stopping and starting in lessons to log in and out and wait for things to connect, moving from one bit of antiquated equipment to another.

“As a teacher, it feels as if everything is more under my control, with my resources all organised and everything I need just one click away.

“I can move around the classroom and talk while casting the information to the screen and if anyone needs additional support, I don’t have to zone out of the lesson as I can keep everyone connected.”

Students like the changes we’ve made, he says: “They can easily get their phone out and log in to look into a lesson they may have missed.

“There is so much content in sixth form, this provides an easily accessible overview of all the work they’ve been through, filed away and organised for them.

“And when it comes to remote learning, it’s as effective as it can be.”

With the school’s ageing IT system reaching the end of its life, it’s hoped the improvements we have seen in science can be rolled out to other departments, but this will involve significant further fundraising.

*Around £75,000 from school funds, with £15,000 generously donated by Friends of RGS.