School offers iPod podcasts to pupils revising for GCSEs
TEENAGERS at a Hull school are revising for GCSE exams using their iPods and mobile phones.
Kelvin Hall is one of the first schools in the country to have the service available to all Year Ten and 11 pupils, free of charge.
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Switching on: Kelvin Hall pupil Sarah Flowers, 16, and Matthew Nolan, 15, revise with their iPods.
The technology is allowing pupils to revise while waiting for a bus, going to school or even outside the exam hall.
The revision help comes in the form of podcasts – short audio and visual broadcasts which became associated with iPods because most people downloaded the material to the handheld devices.
Teachers at Kelvin Hall in Bricknell Avenue, west Hull, say while some schools are still wary about allowing technology into the classroom, they have embraced it, as they recognise it is what pupils relate to and enjoy using.
Steve Willacy, assistant head teacher, said: "Students today learn in a very different way to previous generations, which is why we are so committed to developing creative technology within the school."
Previously, the revision podcasts were available for individuals to subscribe to.
However, GCSEpod, the company which delivers the service, has now opened it up for schools to use, with Kelvin Hall leading the way.
There are thousands of three to five-minute podcasts available to download, and the material has been tailor-made to each exam board's syllabus.
The technology is costing about £1,000 a year.
Mr Willacy said: "Pupils can easily download a series of well-written and well-produced learning and revision podcasts, broken down into concise sections on to their own handheld devices and listen to them at home, on the go or simply watch them on a computer.
"We have been given the chance to make this revision mobile so it grabs them when they are outside an exam hall or at a bus stop or coming into school.
"The students' responses have been extremely positive and we are really keen to see whether GCSEpods help to boost our successful exam results this summer."
The school saw 57 per cent of its pupils gain five GCSEs at A* to C grade, including English and maths, last summer.
The podcasts use powerful images designed to stick in pupils' minds and have been written by teachers in conjunction with exam boards.
As well as the GCSE podcasts, pupils have been given extra tuition during holidays, as well as having the benefit of learning mentors from Wyke College.
Sarah Flowers, 16, a student at the school said: "GCSEPod is really helping with my revision as the information is presented in such a way that it just seems to sink in.
"The diagrams that support the audio are really helpful and as they are interactive, it is like having your own personal teacher on hand to ask you questions and put you to the test. The summaries on every chapter make it easy to review the topic, too.
"You can listen to the revision material wherever you are and I like the extra background information on some of the topics."
Anthony Coxon, co-founder and director of GCSEPod, said: "The school is one of the early adopters of this way of learning and this has put them at the forefront of using consumer technology in the classroom."
Comment: Page 8
Link
Kelvin Hall School
www.kelvinhall.hul.sch.uk
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by Random, East Riding
Tuesday, May 25 2010, 7:09PM
“@Parent.
I understand where you are coming from but that doesn't really take away from the fact that this years results clearly show over a half of all children who attend Kelvin get 5*'s A-C where as only just over a quarter achieve this from Syd.
Obviously BOTH schools can do better.. but Syd could learn something from Kelvin - which was my point.”
by Parent, West Hull
Tuesday, May 25 2010, 4:59PM
“Bimty - my response was in aimed at Random who had made just as derogatory comments regarding Sirius, Lister and Sydney Smith stating that these schools could learn from Kelvin which leads readers to believe that Kelvin is one of the best, far from it, whereas like most Hull schools, it has many failings. As for my children attending - they have left school so your comments regarding 'my little darling' are quite untrue.”
by CHRIS, Yorkshire
Tuesday, May 25 2010, 4:23PM
“Surely now with only 2 or 3 weeks to go, the best revision is past paper practice.
The problem with any podcasts or equivalent is that they never quite prepare you for writing on paper, unless of course that too is a thing of the past.
Good luck to all those who have put the effort in though.”
by Bimty, Right here
Tuesday, May 25 2010, 2:44PM
“Goodness me "Parent" - is that really the right attitude to have about any other school than the one your precious little darling goes to??? It's great that you imply that SSmith is improving - god knows it needs to. Not very nice of you to say that Kelvin's success won't last. Just think, whilst you are being derogative about other children's appearance - someone might be saying the same about your child's! Any good news about Hull schools improving is great news surely so why be so down on Kelvin???”
by Parent, West Hull
Tuesday, May 25 2010, 2:26PM
“I think you'll find Random that Sydney Smith have been using a similar system throughout this year already in their Maths department. I think you'll also find that Sydney Smith are one of the most improving schools, with a range of innovative structures and good practice which are being shared amongst the other Hull schools. The difference is that they don't go to the papers with every good bit of work they do. As for Kelvin, let's just watch this space, I'm sure they won't stay on a high, after all looking at some of the youngsters attending there, they are no different to any other school in the area, East Riding included.”