Case studies

Strengthening pedagogy with ICT: Early adopters' project - case study 2 - Bristol LA and Bath Spa University

Catherine Carter, Secondary Strategy ICT Consultant for Bristol LA and Emma Asprey, Affiliated Field Consultant at Bath Spa University describe working in partnership to implement a programme of accredited CPD using the Strengthening Pedagogy with ICT pack:

This case study describes collaboration between Bristol LA and Bath Spa University. Staff from the LA and university worked together to develop a CPD module, based on the Strengthening Pedagogy with ICT pack, which ran over a year, with opportunities for teachers to gain recognition and accreditation for their work. Eleven teachers participated from Cotham School in Bristol. Teachers could gain up to 60 credits at Masters level; one third of a Masters degree. See information about the Bath Spa  Part-time Professional Master’s Programme (PDF 100kb) and PMP handbook (PDF 1MB).
Cotham School is an urban secondary school with 909 pupils on roll and 74.3% A* - C at GCSE.

Assessment for Learning was the whole school focus and the teachers involved recognised how the key principles could be explored and enhanced through the use of ICT in their subjects. The teachers represented all core and several foundation subject departments and varied in experience. Formal accreditation and the opportunity to improve practice using ICT were the main motivating factors identified by the teachers. In addition, the project had the full support of the SLICT trained headteacher and the direct involvement of the ICT subject leader. A blend of face-to-face sessions, school-based practical tasks and online activities using the university's VLE (WORD 1MB) was used. This led teachers through the process of action enquiry: critical evaluation of their own practice linked to research. The impact on teachers' practice was monitored through the use of pre and post-session tasks, including the use of the learning log provided in the pack. A final impact evaluation provided the LA and university with feedback about the effectiveness of the materials and model of implementation.