e-schools

The day will never come when a computer replaces a teacher, but inventive use of technology can certainly add new dimensions to all aspects of our life at school.

Recently at Bolton School we have been moving ahead much more rapidly with our approach to the education uses of technology. A very obvious example is the use of the blogs. Aside from these HM blogs, tending to focus on school news or educational opinion, there are a whole range of blogs related to different subject matter across all ages. I read how the Patterdale group was getting along, parents keep track of the ketch trips in the Irish Sea, my physics class has submitted their homework this week by commenting on a blog and the Ainsworth academic discussion societies use the blogs to exchange views and information. There is no doubt these are useful tools to help us engage with the business of learning.
A group of colleagues have been looking at how best to introduce much more of the e-communication with the boys and girls, as well as thinking about e-books and the powerful potential of using short movie clips and podcasts as part of revision and homework tasks. Without doubt these do not just replace the older tools of teaching, but could transform aspects of school life. Things can be done which have not been possible before. Through all this we are seeking a blend of the traditional and the modern û seeking to use technology to augment the existing teaching practices rather than replace them.
Thinking of e-communication we have also been using the weekly parent email, which has been well received as a far more effective means of communicating home than the traditional letter that so often ends life in a blazer pocket in the washing machine. For those who are interested using Twitter (@Philip_Britton) has started to be a good way of keeping in touch with the general rhythm of school life both for pupils, parents and members of the wider school community.
And finally that wider school community has very much begun to use e-communication as well. The Alumni Facebook site is used for organising some events, many younger alumni keep in touch on Linked In and we have just launched the 100 objects project to look towards the anniversary using a blog (100objects.boltonschool.me).
The day will never come when a computer replaces a teacher, but inventive use of technology can certainly add new dimensions to all aspects of our life at school.