Pupils learn about ICT and university life

11 March 2010

The events were organised and run by teacher trainees on the one year PGCE Applied ICT course. In the four week break in February and March, between school placements, the trainees planned two-day sessions for year 9 and 10 pupils from Shorefields School in Toxteth and Sts Peter and Paul RC High School in Widnes.

Taking the theme of 'life at university' the first group of pupils produced a video about IM Marsh Campus using the Flash animation program, whilst the second group produced a quiz about the university using Mediator software.  Both groups were taken on a tour of the campus before starting work in groups to plan and produce their presentations on the computers.  At the end of the day they were able to take away their work on datapens so they could continue with it at school.

The pupils are following ICT courses at school and need to gain experience of using new multimedia software which they can use for their coursework; the Applied ICT PGCE trainees have ICT-based degrees so this is an opportunity to share their expertise and practise their teaching skills.

David Muirhead, Head of ICT at Shorefields School, said: "The tour of the campus helped the pupils place the task into perspective and give them understanding of university life.  The pupils came away absolutely made up by the attention they received and the care the trainees took with them."

Richard Vickery, PGCE ICT course leader commented: “The trainees gain a great deal by working cooperatively to plan and deliver an extended session on a cross-curricular topic using ICT.  It is excellent preparation for their final school placement and their future teaching career.”

It is planned to run further ICT Activity days next year. If any schools wish to be involved please contact Richard Vickery at r.g.vickery@ljmu.ac.uk or on 0151 231 5205.