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Cumnock Academy

Using ICT to enhance learning and teaching in Modern Languages

The following is based on Cumnock Academy’s Action Research Project application for funding.

This project will aim to create a programme of work for S3 and S4 that will aid pupil attainment, improve motivation, and be closely linked with Curriculum for Excellence. Citizenship and enterprise will be at the heart of the programme.

We aim to buy a class set of ultraportable laptops, such as the Asus EEE PC, to give our pupils more freedom to look at areas of culture which they enjoy, whilst becoming aware of Scotland's role in the world and their role as global citizens. The laptops will allow us to embed ICT into the programme and to enhance the amount of collaborative learning within the classroom. The pupils will be able to use the EEE PCs individually or in groups — and to take part in peer assessment.

Through the wireless network, and webcam built in to the Asus EEE, we will be able to set up links with schools in another country enabling the pupils to converse in the foreign language.
By allowing pupils to work on projects in the classroom our pupils will be able to work together to present topics in English and the foreign language.
By introducing more projects into the course, our pupils will be able to research the country where the language they are learning is spoken which will enable them to become confident in their understanding of that culture.

The project will help develop an approach to assessment and qualifications that provides opportunities for regular, constructive feedback to all pupils on their progress, as they work towards SQA National Qualifications. We will incorporate online formative assessment based on the work that North Lanarkshire's 'The Learning Centre' has been doing with Learnskape. We have already started using this with our first year classes, but will be creating material that can be used to formatively assess the progress of pupils. By extending our use of Assessment is for Learning we aim to allow our pupils to realise how to improve, and to motivate them into achieving.

Qualifications

Our aim is to create a programme for S3 and S4 that ensures a broad general education for our pupils, followed by progression to qualification afterwards. An important feature of the programme is to have more pupil-led work. This should ensure that all pupils have the ability to progress at their own rate, pushing themselves to higher levels, but also with enough support to ensure that everyone's needs are catered for: from SCQF level 3 to level 5 and beyond, with whatever examination is in place, or is created in the future.

Evaluation

The evaluation process will be ongoing, and will lead to changes in what we do, and how we do it. The project will be ongoing, and we aim to continually assess its effectiveness and relevance to National Priorities and the four capacities.