ARC features extensively in the Learning Platform media - Newspaper
Ashford Rural Cluster has received several favourable reviews celebrating their hard working in relation to the RM Learning Platform pilot project during Jan 07, especially during BETT week.
Tuesday 9th January 2007, the Educational Guardian ran a Learning Platform supplement, written by George Cole. ARC is extensively featured recording the work of the Early Adopter schools, highlighting the communication and collaboration opportunities available to all 19 primary schools across the cluster.
The image above shows one of the four cameo features;
Steve Miles, Furley Park's project lead teacher with his year 5 class. Steve Miles says "Using a learning platform presents challenges, including finding the time to do everything you want to do. but the advantages far outweigh the drawbacks. Once the children's data is up there, tracking their progress through school will be much easier."
Richard Rule, Pluckley's Headteacher and ARC ICT Steering Grp Chair says, "... it is important that people can see we all have the same goal of helping our children to learn... shared (online) areas where staff can share planning, resources, diaries and so forth" Greater collaboration and communication across rural cluster schools.
Chris Foreman, Homewood School - Secondary, Assistant Vice Principal is enthusiastic about their Studywiz learning platform and explains, " its about changes in teaching and learning... not ICT project; its based on moving towards 21st century learners... its a space on the web where people can access resources and share and exchange; teachers, students, parents."
Georgia - Yr 7 Homewood Student; importantly pupil participation. Georgia happily relates her learning platform experience, "I use Studywiz to find out the homework we've been set, I also use it to check that I've done it and handed it in. I've also used the discussion room to ask people about homework ... if I don't understand what to do, they could explain it to me. That's really helpful."
A combination of strategies; out of school provsions for broadband; via home, libraries and community centers combined with school laptop schemes, wireless technology has addressed many issues to ensure every learner has access.