View from the classroom
“The students who participate in the workshops do not always have access to the types of devices and gadgets supplied by the DSH due to lack of funding in primary schools...”
What are the benefits of teaching computing in this way?
Our hands on, practical approach to teaching Computing allows the pupils to explore and discover and, importantly, to learn through trial and error. Most of the primary school computing leaders that I have spoken to mention that they have roughly 35-50 minutes per week to deliver the KS2 curriculum which they feel is not enough time to cover some of the topics. However they are amazed at how much can be covered in a DSH workshop and many have requested support in planning lessons to be delivered at their schools. (They are also surprised at how much fun Computing can be!) The combination of theory /
computing unplugged sessions and practical application means that connections can be made. Curiosity is kindled in the minds of the pupils which creates a thirst for learning and a desire to explore the topic in further depth.
The students who participate in the workshops do not always have access to the types of devices and gadgets supplied by the DSH due to lack of funding in primary schools. They take full advantage of the tasks they are set and apply themselves fully – this positive and willing attitude to a new subject is always a pleasure to observe. It is one of many reasons why working as a Digital Schoolhouse provider has been a stimulating and professionally rewarding experience.
What would you say to any school thinking about signing up?
The journey undertaken in setting up the DSH has not always been straightforward as we have met with some challenges along the way. Significant work went into advertising and promoting the concept wherever and whenever possible. Rita and I attended local borough meetings, I visited schools individually and there were thousands of emails exchanged before we launched. Prior to that we had the actual workshops to design and set up – creating resources, bidding for devices and equipment and organising the logistics of having a group of mixed gender primary school children on site in an otherwise all-girls environment.
I would say it is vital that any school considering signing up to a project like this has the support of the Senior Management Team and
has a highly competent network support team. Planning and preparing the resources here has been collaboration between department members. Saphina Siddiq (DSH Teacher/ Teacher of Computing) and I thoroughly enjoy looking for new and crazy ways to deliver our subject! But management of the newly acquired hardware, the installation of software and the administration of user accounts has to be credited to our Network Manager and her team – so a good network team is definitely number 1 on the checklist!
Despite all the hard work, we are immensely excited about embarking on the journey for the second year now on a bigger scale with outreach now to London boroughs beyond Redbridge. We have benefitted enormously from being part of this project. Valuable links have been forged with local primary schools. Acquisition of a host of whacky and wonderful devices has enlivened learning for KS2 pupils and for our own. And we’ve really valued the chance to support fellow teachers and to work collaboratively in response to the new Computing curriculum. It’s been wonderful! Becoming a Digital Schoolhouse has been a privilege. It has contributed to the profile of the school in the community and we are very proud of what has been achieved. I would definitely recommend an interested school to give it a go.
To find out more about Digital Schoolhouse visit
www.digitalschoolhouse.org.uk
October 2015
www.education-today.co.uk
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