Dundee : Personal ICT Pilot Project
Whitefield Primary and Harris Academy
What is this?
This project was an innovative attempt to evaluate the impact of Personal ICT on the school of the near future.
The project was a collaboration between SEED and Dundee City Council to pilot a future schools environment. A complete Primary 6 class and their teachers were equipped with the latest laptops and digital projectors. Two First Year classes in a Secondary school and all of their teachers were similarly equipped. Students took computers home and over two sessions pupils, teachers and parents explored how this technology could be used to enhance and enrich the learning experience of young people in the 21st Century.
Dundee City Council supported the project by providing funding, resources and training; and developing partnerships with hardware and software providers.
FLaT involvement?
FLaT provided support to pilot 'next-generation' ICT approaches which take advantage of NGfL progress in access, connectivity, training and content. FLaT support was also aimed at facilitating better home-school-community links.
Links with National Priorities?
1.Achievement & Attainment
2.Framework for Learning
3.Inclusion & Equality
Project aims?
To pilot 'next-generation' ICT approaches which take advantage of NGfL progress in access, connectivity, training and content.
To explore possible solutions to the challenges of technical and curricular support and long term sustainability.
To pilot the anticipated shift in future school learning environments from desktop computers to laptop computers and from classroom data cabling to wireless networking.
To address the extent of work that is involved for schools and authorities in preparing for the anticipated major change towards individual access to on-line resources.
Project outcomes?
Changed teaching methods and how the classroom looks and works.
Changed pupils' learning styles and attainment.
Improved facilities for pupils and teachers to communicate, collaborate and exchange information within the classroom, local community and beyond.
Empowered teachers to use their initiative in curriculum design and development.
Developed a flexible model which allows regular updating of learning content and skills.
Increased use of ICT in administration particularly the monitoring and tracking of pupil progress.
Timescale?
The project was started in November 2001 and was completed by June 2003. The evaluation report is available.
Level of support?
FLaT support was a grant of £195,392.
Who were the evaluation team?
This was a National Grid for Learning (NGfL) Scotland managed project. An external evaluation was carried out by Professor Mary Simpson and Fran Payne from the Faculties of Education, University of Edinburgh & University of Aberdeen.
What did they look at?
Assessed the planning stage of the Dundee Future Schools Project, which took place between January 2001 and August 2001.
Monitored the process of implementation of the Dundee Future Schools Project.
Evaluated the project's impact on teaching and learning.
Assessed the effects of the project on pupils' attainment.
Contact person
Glen Taylor, Dundee City Council Education Services Manager, 01382 433416, glen.taylor@dundeecity.gov.uk