Action Research
FE10: Using ICT to improve plumbing students' experiences
Author: Peter Carden, Plumbing Tutor, Bishop Auckland College, County Durham
Date: 2005
Action
Peter introduced a range of technologies into his plumbing course, including a smartboard, laptops, video cameras and digital photography. Here, he describes his approach and the impacts on retention, attainment and the learning of a dyslexic student.
Outcomes
Retention and attainment were both raised.
A number of factors were considered conducive to this.
o The use of the smart board improved the quality of presentations to the class in terms of visual clarity, pace and fluidity, enabling more effective teaching and learning
o The use of the smart board relieved students of the need to take notes and copy diagrams, which enabled them to pay more attention to the tutor and class discussions
o The use of visio provided excellent support for students' diagrammatic work
o The use of digital cameras proved invaluable for gathering evidence for assessment purposes.
The impacts on a dyslexic student were marked. The use of ICT enabled him to present his work clearly, where it had previously been illegible. The student had been too shy to reveal that he had been statemented as Dyslexic, and the tutor had thought that the student didn't understand the subject matter. However, the use of ICT made it clear that the student thoroughly understood the work but struggled to communicate his comprehension. He is now progressing extremely quickly through the course, with enhanced confidence.
> Download this research: PDF 
- Microsoft Word 