Evaluation - PGCE (Primary) Spring 2014
Summary
Associate Teacher Evaluation
Responses to the evaluation questions were very positive. All responses to the question, 'Did the project enhance your knowledge and skills in relation to excellent teaching of ICT in the core subjects?' were affirmative. Some example responses are below:
Teacher Evaluation
All evaluations from teachers were very positive about associate teachers' commitment, enthusiasm and willingness to try something new. Responses to the question, 'Did the project lead to improved teaching with technology and extend and enhance what pupils learn?', included:
Associate Teacher Evaluation
Responses to the evaluation questions were very positive. All responses to the question, 'Did the project enhance your knowledge and skills in relation to excellent teaching of ICT in the core subjects?' were affirmative. Some example responses are below:
- I found the ICT project very insightful and helpful. It was useful to be able to see a good ICT lesson in action... I learnt more about Scratch and how to plan a series of lessons based around it. I saw first-hand how quickly children pick up new ICT programes and challenges and how important it is to be one step ahead. I was quite apprehensive at first, as I did not feel as though I knew enough about Scratch to be able to help the children, but I learnt with the children and got more confident as the lesson went on. A very good experience.
- I feel I have learnt a great deal about ICT during my project. Most importantly for my own personal development I was able to see how to approach ICT with a KS1 class, where previously I had only worked with a year 6 class. The skills and programs used are very different. I now feel more confident to teach ICT on my current placement in a year 1 class.
- The project definitely enhanced my knowledge and skills in relation to excellent teaching of ICT. Before Monday, my only experience of Scratch was the work we had completed at university in one of our ICT sessions and, as this was several months ago, my knowledge of the program was limited at best. At Overchurch Primary School, Stuart talked our group through Scratch on Monday and, by making video tutorials available to us, I was able to develop my skills at home. Rather than using these videos to teach the children on Wednesday, I had familiarised myself with the program so much that I felt confident enough to teach the whole class myself, taking them through each section step-by-step. I was praised by Stuart for having the confidence to do this and I was very pleased with how the children responded to my teaching. Indeed, I will asking teachers at my placement school if they would like me to teach a similar lesson to their classes.
- This project was particularly helpful in giving me a greater insight into how I can use ICT in KS1, not just as a stand alone lesson but across a variety of different subjects.
- It did enhance my subject knowledge as I have never made a trailer before using an iPad. I have learnt a lot - not only how to use it but how to teach Reception children how to use it. I will be using this for future lessons.
- I feel that this project was extremely beneficial and provided a good insight into how ICT can be used effectively in the classrooms. I thought the idea of using the iPads was very effective and the children were all very excited and engaged in the activity.
- The project did enhance my knowledge and skills of the teaching of ICT as I learnt about relevant, useful apps I could use with my class.
- I thoroughly enjoyed the experience with Mrs Tucker at Bidston Avenue Primary. She was extremely helpful, approachable and gave us freedom to work with a program we felt comfortable with so we didn't feel too intimidated. She was brilliant.
- The project did enhance my knowledge and skills in relation to the teaching of ICT. It provided me with good ideas of how to use I pads in ICT lessons as this is not an area I was familiar with.
- Working on the project gave me opportunity to work using iPads and apps that I hadn't used before. I felt that I was learning along with the children.
- The collaborative elements of the project were particularly beneficial as it allowed the group to share and apply a broader range of experiences and grow as a team.
- I learnt how to use a program that I was not familiar with before the project and now feel confident enough to use this software at school. The project helped me to develop my knowledge and understanding of how ICT can be used at schools to develop children's ability to follow instructions and evaluate existing games or programs.
- Really enjoyed it - picked up ideas on how it could be planned and delivered. Mrs Bowle from Belgrave School: helpful and interesting.
- I found the ICT project enhanced my skills, especially in the field of programming.
Teacher Evaluation
All evaluations from teachers were very positive about associate teachers' commitment, enthusiasm and willingness to try something new. Responses to the question, 'Did the project lead to improved teaching with technology and extend and enhance what pupils learn?', included:
- They [the ATs] were a great asset to the lesson. They were supportive and I think learnt lots themselves! One student, Joe, even taught the class how to make a game that he had devised.
- All of the associate teachers were very helpful and professional. They all contributed to the lesson and worked very well with the children.
- The project did lead to improved teaching with technology. By the end of the session all children were able to create code in Scratch for a simple computer game. Most were able to evaluate their game and suggest and implement improvements. Some were able to create quite sophisticated modifications and even worked out the purpose of some of the coding blocks not covered during the session. The children are keen to have a follow up session where they will design their own game from scratch (so to speak!)
- [The AT] has benefited from seeing a variety of equipment that supports ‘cause and effect’ for those with multiple disabilities.
- The project definitely helped the learning move on quickly for the children involved - having the ATs with dedicated groups of children allowed for good support and extension. The ATs had also had the opportunity to look in to the app and program used on the Monday planning session, and possibly in between, so their confidence with it enabled the children to build on the knowledge given to them. The PGCE students were professional and enthusiastic and a pleasure to work with. Having the planning session in school was an improvement - using the resources available in the setting they will be teaching in.
6T @Bidstonavenue worked with Chester PGCE @TonyPickford1, creating online games using a variety of programs. pic.twitter.com/erd4zoOvGW
— Bidston Avenue ICT (@ictfunlearning) April 2, 2014
@TonyPickford1 Thanks Tony. The PG students did a great job.
— Stuart Rathe (@Mr_Rathe) April 3, 2014