Local Authority Perspective
"It can't be done" they said to Isambard Kingdom Brunel as he designed his floating iron ship and made it work despite all the sceptics. Similarly the work undertaken by the determined and visionary Head Teacher, Carl Faulkner, has shown how a transformation in approaches to young learners can be effected in spite of the sceptics and difficulties.
Carl had every reason to give up. Previous attempts to introduce such a change had been difficult and major barriers had to be overcome. Firstly, the cost issue. The e-Learning Foundation helped yet it was a difficult moral decision to ask families from the most deprived area in the country to invest in a mobile device for their children. Carl did not let this get in his way - he knew that what he was attempting to change in his approach to learning was right and families supported his leadership. Then came the device chosen for the project - the first in the country which became available. Just the job - proven to work in other leading projects yet this newer version coming hot off the production line simply was awful. It failed to deliver anything along the lines hoped for. Technically an embarrassment and unable to access internet reliably the project failed.
Not diverted by this problem a replacement solution was found and introduced. Now the device was absolutely right, a dream and a true handheld solution, technical support brilliant and work in class and beyond began to deliver Carl's dream. Then came the contract issues the legal disputes and collapse of another project. The sceptics were being proved right. "It won't improve standards". "Kid's will just play with them". "Kids will have them stolen and lost - you cannot trust kids". "Teachers will not be able to control the learning properly". "You will have all sorts of dodgy things going on with that dangerous Bluetooth". "Kids will never master the technical features". "Teachers will hate using the things".
Basically, it can't be done.
Lessons learned, Carl licked his wounds, as the good mountain biker he is, and got cracking on establishing another project. Armed by his recent experience and having now found trustworthy partners in the commercial world, allies in other parts of the Handheld Community and in the Local Authority Carl set to work. Knowing now what would make the project a success he began again. Funding was raised - no mean feat convincing parents again. The teaching staff, governing body and parents were involved from the outset in understanding what pedagogical change was needed; the technical team from the LA were there being taught by Year 4 and 5 children about what they had to be able to do with the technology; Carl understood the need to have independent assessment of the project and engaged the services of the University of Lancaster.
Crucially, he also harnessed the creative mind of the passionate Teaching and Learning Consultant, Andrew Stogdale, a man determined that children should be in control of their learning and passionate about the future shape of personalised learning. Not only did he take his key staff to the Handheld Learning Conference but he also took some of his young pioneers. It was a joy to witness those young entrepreneurs putting sales representatives through a gruelling interrogation. It would seem it was easier to pacify the older customer rather than our 8 and 9 year olds. The dream of four years ago was now becoming a reality.
In June 2009 as Carl walked proudly up to the podium to receive the prestigious Northern Grid for Learning Award for his school achieving the “Overall Excellence in ICT Award” I smiled inwardly thinking of the journey he had taken. In his mountain biking he knows that there is no such thing as a biker who has never come off. It is just yet to happen. His work as a Mountain Rescue Volunteer has taught him that there is no such thing as a lost cause. Similarly on effecting change with new technologies problems are just solutions waiting to happen. Carl more than most has faced up to these problems passionately.
This man deserves an award for his plain talking, doggedness and determination for the sake of his kids. He doesn’t want simply to write on a blog about transformation of learning or stand on a platform eulogising about personalisation of learning. He wants to walk into his classrooms, be with his kids on fieldwork and celebrate true transformation with his brilliant staff and kids.
I suggest you’d be mad not to let him have this award!
David Major Senior Adviser for Schools Redcar and Cleveland LA
