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E-learning potential From the outset of this project we were extremely keen to move all the talk of the 'potential' of e-Learning forwards to actual reality. Broadband technology is meant to be about instant delivery, magnifiencent multimedia materials that will engage pupils and bring your lessons alive. In reality, much online content is simply re-hashed textbooks with a bit of interaction added on. The 'Local Heroes?' project has aimed to provide useful online content for the teacher, their class and the casual browser. E-Learning - what makes it different / better? Local Heroes has been designed to provide teachers, students and people with a general interest in history with an experience which enables the following:- To make judgements about the heroic nature of historical figures-this is what we call the "key question and all the materials provided are designed to bring this about. Factual information-aims of material
- To find out more about the context of historical figures through videoed presentations in the localities where events were acted out.
- To listen to acknowledged experts answer important questions posed by school students and giving their opinion as to whether each individual is a hero or not.
- To finally ask the user to click through a timeline containing more detailed information and images about the relevant hero
Factual information-manipulating the facts with interactive tests To answer questions about the lives of the characters to reinforce the facts about their lives where they are available. The key question-essay skeletons For each hero the question is posed as to whether he is she is more or less of an hero and the student can download an essay skeleton in which he/she will support his/her point of view. We think that the sheer variety and immediacy of the materials will help students identify with the local hero in his/her context. We hope it will also inspire them to do their research into someone of their own choice. How can the materials be used in class? The materials can be used in a range of ways according to the teacher's preferences and access to particular facilities. Interactive whiteboard- video can be presented via an interactive whiteboard for group discussion and/or notemaking. Pairs work-students can be asked to view video and interactive maps in pairs and asked to defend a particular point of view as to whether say Nelson was a love rat, military hero or opportunistic self-publicist. They can be then asked to put their view to the class. Preparation for producing their own work on another character-the teacher may wish to ask students to produce their own work (see Submit YOUR local hero tab) based around a historical character from a different era. The four local heroes we have provided could serve as a model. Highlight broadband technology - delivery of videos, flash interactions All of the technology used here is now accessible to school teachers and students without huge financial investments. Video can be produced with a stills camera which takes short clips and uploaded into webpages. Interactive exercises can be created with such programmes as Hot Potatoes, a free download from the Half Baked Site Standards our project sets for the future The fact that schools can produce their own local hero projects quickly and easily simply by filling in the online form means that the site enables a holistic approach to learning. This is the future of e-learning and we are proud to have put this project together. Steve Glover digitalbrain Links to - SchoolHistory.co.uk
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