Changing the way we learn

At Greensward College, Hockley, Essex, the college has embraced the power of technology in education. The college has been one of the leaders in establishing the effective use of resources in the delivery of “any time, any place and anywhere” teaching and learning.

Led by the innovative and resourceful Principal, David Triggs (a National Leader of Education with the National College of School Leadership) the college has been recognised by OFSTED and the DfES as “exceptional” in areas such as leadership and innovation.

The results and educational “added value” brought to the students have been as a result of this leadership and the intelligent use of technology as well as good teaching staff who have embraced the benefits of technology and particularly how, intelligently deployed, it can save time, create interest and hands on involvement for and by their students.

The philosophy employed is that properly used technology is a tool which can enhance the learning experience whilst at the same time promote the creative and inspirational teacher and learners experience. It should not detract from the best in traditional teaching and learning methods, merely facilitate and even improve their delivery.

Today’s students are IT natives with multi-tasking capabilities, it is not unusual to see a teenager writing an essay on their laptop whilst at the same time messaging their friends, listening to their iPods and watching television all at the same time and surprisingly producing excellent work. A combination of tasking which is daunting to most over 30 years of age! We cannot expect to engage with these students and to improve their learning experience by continuing with the outdated model of “the sage on the stage” or a “chalk and talk” approach.

Greensward has managed to achieve its ambition of creating true pedagogical change by providing an extremely high ratio of PCs to students, utilising the latest innovations in “thin client” technology, allowing access to the maximum in rich media resources and applications and by utilising the very best personalised learning platform (eZe PLP) which enables the college and the students to share resources with other schools, for learners to learn in the most appropriate fashion and at the rate that is best suited to them and for learners to be involved in and embrace their educational experience.

Greensward does not believe that technology is the panacea but correctly used it can have significant effects on the outcomes we all seek for our children. As such the college would welcome the opportunity of showing and sharing their vision through the BBC Breakfast interest in the future of education.