Phase 2 of project e-scape (November 2005 – Jan 2007) has involved the creation of a working prototype system. The system was to facilitate the designing activity in the classroom – using peripheral digital tools – and to allow all learners’ work to be tracked and logged in a website for subsequent assessment by Awarding Bodies. The system was to be tested through a national pilot (principally with yr 10 learners) in the summer term of 2006.
Developing the system
The prototype was designed in association with two technology partners Handheld Learning and TAG Learning. HHL are specialists in the use of peripheral digital tools and specifically PDAs. Phase 1 of the project had shown that PDAs would be good tools to focus on, principally because of their multi-functionality – for capturing drawings, photographs, writing and speech. TAG Learning have a strong track record in web-based portfolio creation for schools. For the phase 2 prototype we brought these two partners together and invited them to devise a system that would allow the handheld technology to ‘speak’ directly to the website, enabling us to track – in real time – the evolution of learners’ portfolios in design workshops in schools.
Whilst the technology partners were working on the technical system, in TERU we worked on the classroom activity and the protocols that would render it manageable as a design activity worked largely through digital means. Whilst we worked from the 6 hr activity structure of the paper-based version in assessing design innovation, we modified it substantially to capitalise on the potential that is made available through the PDA. The drawing and writing tools can replicate paper based drawing and writing, and the camera removed the need for a separate one that we had previously used. But the speech tool was entirely new. For the 1st time we could capture the authentic voice of the learner at points through the activity. And throughout, we retained the importance of real materials – as learners struggle to create their own prototype solutions to the design task.
By May 2006 we had a working e-scape portfolio system, and all the resources needed to make is operate as an assessment system in schools. We launched the national pilot in 14 schools across the country through June and July 2006 and as a result accumulated 250 e-portfolios of year 10 learners’ performance in the website. The system worked remarkably smoothly and we are grateful for all the support and enthusiasm from teachers and learners.
Developing the system
The prototype was designed in association with two technology partners Handheld Learning and TAG Learning. HHL are specialists in the use of peripheral digital tools and specifically PDAs. Phase 1 of the project had shown that PDAs would be good tools to focus on, principally because of their multi-functionality – for capturing drawings, photographs, writing and speech. TAG Learning have a strong track record in web-based portfolio creation for schools. For the phase 2 prototype we brought these two partners together and invited them to devise a system that would allow the handheld technology to ‘speak’ directly to the website, enabling us to track – in real time – the evolution of learners’ portfolios in design workshops in schools.
Whilst the technology partners were working on the technical system, in TERU we worked on the classroom activity and the protocols that would render it manageable as a design activity worked largely through digital means. Whilst we worked from the 6 hr activity structure of the paper-based version in assessing design innovation, we modified it substantially to capitalise on the potential that is made available through the PDA. The drawing and writing tools can replicate paper based drawing and writing, and the camera removed the need for a separate one that we had previously used. But the speech tool was entirely new. For the 1st time we could capture the authentic voice of the learner at points through the activity. And throughout, we retained the importance of real materials – as learners struggle to create their own prototype solutions to the design task.
By May 2006 we had a working e-scape portfolio system, and all the resources needed to make is operate as an assessment system in schools. We launched the national pilot in 14 schools across the country through June and July 2006 and as a result accumulated 250 e-portfolios of year 10 learners’ performance in the website. The system worked remarkably smoothly and we are grateful for all the support and enthusiasm from teachers and learners.
