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iPhone study at Gumley

In a majority of schools around the country mobile phones/devices are locked away or ‘banned’ from use as they are perceived as a distraction or danger.  The premise of this study is to see how mobile technologies can be used as a tool for learning within schools, by both staff and students.

30 students have been given the loan of an iPhone 3GS until then end of the academic year. They will be able to use these devices as part of their every day lessons in school and use them in whichever way they feel will aid their learning, working closely with their teachers and with Mr. Byrne (Assistant Head Teacher).  The increasing availability of ‘apps’ (applications) on these phones means that a wealth of possibilities may be accessed, and the group involved in the study will meet at regular intervals to share ideas on how they are being used as well as look at their regular attainment to see if, in reality, and change in learning can be monitored.
 

The Brentford CLC is renowned as being at the centre of innovative practice in technology and have agreed to both fund the project and oversee the research which will be conducted by Professor Michael Gibson (former Head of Education at Kingston University).  He will be analysing the findings, results and effect on learning at regular intervals.

This project has received a lot of attention and is continuing to appear on television and printed media (both nationally and internationally) and the debate as to whether these devices can aid learning is freely aired on many blogs available on the net.  Our findings are reported through Brentford CLC's dedicated project site www.brentfordrtc.co.uk where you can also see the BBC London News coverage of the study.

A report on the study can also be found reported on websites such as the Public Technology.net  and Kable (source for The Guardian) website.